An agreement has been reached between Harlequin Football Club and Rugby International Marketing (RIM), in the US governing body’s digital video platform, The Rugby Channel to become their minority shareholder and strategic partner.
RIM was created last year (2015) as the commercial arm of USA Rugby to represent their commercial rights in order secure new revenue streams to help support the game in the US.
The Rugby Channel (TRC) was created by RIM this year to develop interest in the game that features live as well as on-demand rugby content from all over the world. Other investors include CSM Sport & Entertainment, and the Rugby Football Union.
According to its investment plan, Harlequins will enhance the Rugby Channel’s value proposition by committing Club’s content and programming expertise. One such program will feature Harlequins 150th Anniversary celebration match with the Maori All Blacks. This match will be broadcasted Live exclusively by The Rugby Channel from The Twickenham Stoop on November 16.
On this occasion David Ellis, who is the chief executive of Harlequins, said: “We are delighted to confirm our investment into RIM and TRC as our sport continues to grow at unprecedented levels in America. Following the signing of our MOU with USA Rugby ahead of last year’s World Cup we have been working closely together to support our respective on and off field development. Our pledge to help grow the game in America has been the driver for our work, which to date has been in the form of pre-season tours and supporting the development of grass roots programmes.”
