Antoine Dupont aiming to ‘grow’ US rugby after becoming surprise part owner of Major League Rugby side
Global superstar Antoine Dupont has branched out into the world of business by becoming a stakeholder in Major League Rugby side Rugby FC Los Angeles.
The France scrum-half, who is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, and his company Ouest Coast have decided to invest in the American outfit.
Rumours were already circulating about Dupont’s potential involvement after he twice appeared in public with an RFCLA cap on.
‘Opportunity to grow rugby’s popularity in the US’
“Rugby is more than just a sport; it’s a community with strong values. Beyond competitive success on the pitch for RFCLA, I am excited by the opportunity to grow rugby’s popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world,” the French star said.
“Los Angeles is a unique place, combining the best of sports, entertainment, fashion, and culture – I can’t think of any other place that provides such opportunities for youth development, high performance, and commercial success to go hand-in-hand.”
RFCLA are currently in their second season in the MLR, having finished bottom in 2024, winning just five of their 16 matches, but they evidently have grand ambitions by getting Dupont on board.
The Toulouse and France playmaker has connections with the Californian city, having won his first World Rugby SVNS tournament there in preparation for the Olympics.
He also visited NFL outfit the LA Chargers last year and was given a tour around their facility.
“We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans and to join us in growing a global rugby brand,” RFCLA chief executive Pete Sickle said.
He is as dedicated to expanding the rugby community as he is to competing on the pitch and his vision for integrating the athleticism and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for rugby in LA and throughout the U.S.”
USA’s struggles
The MLR has yet to break through in the American market, and there are concerns about the state of US rugby heading into the 2031 men’s Rugby World Cup, which is being held there.
