MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY HOLDS SUPPLEMENTARY PLAYER DRAFT

Draft included eligible Dallas Jackals players and waivered collegiate athletes.

DALLAS (January 29, 2021) – Today, Major League Rugby (MLR) held a Supplementary Draft to reallocate eligible Dallas Jackals players as a result of the team delaying their inaugural season. The Draft also included six collegiate rugby players who were granted a waiver from participation in the MLR Collegiate Draft 2020, due to COVID specific extenuating circumstances.

The virtual Draft included the 12 teams competing in the 2021 MLR season, with the order of selection being the same as the MLR Collegiate Draft 2020: 

Draft Order – 

1. LA Giltinis
2. Houston SaberCats
3. Austin Gilgronis
4. Seattle Seawolves
5. New England Free Jacks
6. Utah Warriors
7. Rugby ATL
8. Rugby United New York
9. NOLA Gold
10. Old Glory DC
11. Toronto Arrows
12. San Diego Legion

To incentivize teams to retain Dallas Jackal players, MLR ensured that all “International” players will be considered “Domestic” for the 2021 season and teams will be afforded additional salary cap equal to the player’s compensation.

Dallas Jackals players on Standard Player Contracts (fixed term, salaried employees) were given the option of participation in the draft or a 50% severance payment. Twelve players chose the former, while four chose the latter. Meanwhile, the seven athletes on Associate Player Contracts (hourly wage employees) are allowed to move freely to any team across the league or accept a severance payment. Finally, international players (7) who are still working to secure work authorization will be unrestricted once they do so and be able to join any team that desires their services.

“It was our duty to create a simple, incentivized, and equitable redistribution of the Jackals Players and to do so quickly,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew. “I have no doubt that the teams to whom these players are allocated will be welcoming and the players will be as driven as ever towards a championship.”

No additional salary cap or international roster spot considerations were applied to the waivered collegiate athletes. Similar to athletes drafted during the MLR Collegiate Draft 2020, teams will retain the rights to draftees until midway through the MLR season (May 17th, 2021).

Fans can expect player announcements from teams over the coming weeks as they work to help athletes transition to new homes and get ready for MLR 2021.

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About Dallas Jackals —

The Dallas Jackals are a professional rugby team of Major League Rugby (MLR), the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The Jackals were named as an expansion team in 2020 and will play their inaugural season in 2022 at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The team’s central mission is to develop domestic talent to a world-class level of play and professionalism while strengthening the high performance pathway in DFW by supporting the local clubs. Through proactive Community Outreach, the Jackals will exemplify and spread the passion of rugby by inspiring tradition, respect, family, and character on and off the pitch.

About MLR – 

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fourth season on March 20, 2021 and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 12 teams in 2021, featuring 11 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and ESPN+, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit www.MajorLeague.Rugby.