New rugby leader brings sports business savvy to Anthem RC
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Anthem Rugby Carolina plays at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Photo: Laura Stroud/courtesy of Major League Rugby
Patrick Stack played rugby in high school and college. Now he's the first president of Charlotte's professional rugby team, which is entering its second season.
Why it matters: Major League Rugby, the nation's top league, launched Anthem Rugby Carolina in less than 90 days. The young expansion franchise is finding its footing in Charlotte's fast-growing professional sports landscape. That required bringing on a team president.
Catch up quick: MLR is heading into its eighth season. The league saw its highest attendance and media interest last year. It also tried something new with the creation of Anthem RC.
- The team is a collaboration between MLR, World Rugby (the sport's international governing body) and USA Rugby (the sport's national governing body).
- Anthem RC primarily serves as a developmental team for the USA Eagles, the men's national team. Eleven Eagles are on the team's current roster.
Between the lines: The league's growth presents more career opportunities, not just for players and coaches, but for people on the business side like Stack.
- "I always felt really connected to the sport of rugby, but up until this point there wasn't really the momentum or the investment or kind of the commercial structure that exists today with MLR," Stack, who has spent years in sports business in Charlotte, tells Axios.
- Stack oversees the day-to-day business side of Anthem RC, but also building a bigger fanbase.
By the numbers: Anthem RC, which plays at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth, averaged 1,000 people per game last season, Stack says. The goal for this year is 2,000 people per game.
- The team has roughly 300 individual season tickets. The goal is to grow to 500-700.
The big picture: Less than three months from concept to execution was a limited runway to market an expansion franchise or attract fans last year. Many people who came out during the first season were part of Charlotte's existing rugby community.
- There was little brand awareness outside that community, Stack says. The goal is to drum up that awareness, growing the fan base further.
- Also part of the approach for this year is marketing the team as a big group outing. Large group tickets mean a discount for consumers and more butts in seats at the stadium.
Zoom out: Local high school, club and college teams will play ahead of Anthem RC matches, mostly on the weekends at noon, 2pm and 4pm.
- The goal is to provide more access to a rugby pitch in the Charlotte area. There's no cost for these teams.
- These matches will be free and open to the public.
What's next: Anthem RC's regular season runs from February through June. The team's home opener is Friday, Feb. 21, vs. San Diego Legion at American Legion Memorial Stadium at 7:30pm. Tickets start at $18.