The Las Vegas Thread

[ColdWetPanther]

The “Rugby” branding still kills me every time.

NRL go to Vegas and get great attention in the US
“So what can you tell us about Rugby?”


View attachment 97981
“Thank you”

I don’t get the concern. It’s not like rugby is a strong brand in the US. If the US view ‘rugby’ as league, what is the problem?

 

[DIOGENES]

Ideally youd focus on younger kids and teens. Pitch it as a safer version (for the worried mums) that develops relevant but different skills for AF.

I reckon they could develop a blended version of RL/AF as a different version (like touch/tag/9)

they rules would probably be similar to 1908 NSWRL/Northern Union (no forward pass, only retreat 3 meters, 4 tackes, fast PTB)

then you would just adjust the points to mimick AF (6p touchdown, 1 point conversion, ect) and discuss whether you offer resets like the 4and10 rule.

1908 Northern Union did not have a tackle count, that came in 1967 to counter Saints style of play. The retreat was 3 yards but there was eventually a rule of a penalty if the dummy half was caught with the ball (Quarterback getting sacked)

 

[Canard]

I don’t get the concern. It’s not like rugby is a strong brand in the US. If the US view ‘rugby’ as league, what is the problem?

We are helping promote their (Rugby) code.

The All Blacks, for example, would love this

 

[DIOGENES]

Americans, even the President are confused by "Rugby":


The look on the Irish Taoiseach (PM)'s (Nod to Ned of the Hill) face seems to say "Get this Bozo off the stage"

For the bewildered elderly:
These are the All Blacks


and these are the Black and Tans

 

[ColdWetPanther]

We are helping promote their (Rugby) code.

The All Blacks, for example, would love this

The way is see a small % of Americans [say <1%] know the difference between league and union. If they appreciate that difference they have probably already got some view on which is the code they prefer.

There is a small (but slightly larger) cohort of Americans that have some name recognition with rugby but not enough to appreciate the differences between the codes [say 3-5%]. League can tap into that recognition, and, if successful, can convince them that ‘rugby’ is league.

For the vast majority of Americans, rugby will mean nothing and the term is up for grabs.

 

[Canard]

The way is see a small % of Americans [say <1%] know the difference between league and union. If they appreciate that difference they have probably already got some view on which is the code they prefer.

There is a small (but slightly larger) cohort of Americans that have some name recognition with rugby but not enough to appreciate the differences between the codes [say 3-5%]. League can tap into that recognition, and, if successful, can convince them that ‘rugby’ is league.

For the vast majority of Americans, rugby will mean nothing and the term is up for grabs.

What if they seek out information or look for broadcasts of the game? Using the term "Rugby" is going to cause brand confusion.

 

[jc155776]

Decided to head off to Vegas and will catch the games while there.

Looking at Tickets, can buy 2 for $30 each US or buy 4 for $40 total. Huh? What sort of dodgey shithousery is going on here?

 

[nko11]

Decided to head off to Vegas and will catch the games while there.

Looking at Tickets, can buy 2 for $30 each US or buy 4 for $40 total. Huh? What sort of dodgey shithousery is going on here?

It's fantastic Marketing. They ran something similar last year. This is only run on the cheapest seats, so will help fill out the stadium. Will also build out the American base that will hopefully attend year on year - the ones more likely to spend $29 instead of $209 to go. If there were only two of you going, you will feel more motivated to buy the extra tickets and drag others along. The main bulk of revenue is coming from Corporates and the good seats.

 

[Éamonn an Chnoic]

I don’t get the concern. It’s not like rugby is a strong brand in the US. If the US view ‘rugby’ as league, what is the problem?

“Rugby” as a general concept would be almost universally known. Whether people know any details is a different question.

the problem is that Union will vacuum up all of the positive press at not cost or risk. Meanwhile, RL comps will be saying “yeh, we are that Vegas thing. No, that other Rugby is different, yes, even though we have the same name. Well, in 1895….”

for RL, this kind of branding is almost totally a negative

 

[Wb1234]

“Rugby” as a general concept would be almost universally known. Whether people know any details is a different question.

the problem is that Union will vacuum up all of the positive press at not cost or risk. Meanwhile, RL comps will be saying “yeh, we are that Vegas thing. No, that other Rugby is different, yes, even though we have the same name. Well, in 1895….”

for RL, this kind of branding is almost totally a negative

Why can’t league piggyback off all the marketing Union has done ? Why is it a negative ?

 

[Perth Red]

Why can’t league piggyback off all the marketing Union has done ? Why is it a negative ?

Because if people think there is only one Rugby and watch the sht that is union then they will be turned off for life!

 

[Wb1234]

Because if people think there is only one Rugby and watch the sht that is union then they will be turned off for life!

It’s a dumb argument

They will go expecting union and wonder how the game got so good

All blacks have got massive crowds in the us

How many Americans show up thinking the warriors are the all blacks lol

 

[Perth Red]

It’s a dumb argument

They will go expecting union and wonder how the game got so good

All blacks have got massive crowds in the us

How many Americans show up thinking the warriors are the all blacks lol

Is it? Someone tunes in to watch a Vegas game, thinks that was pretty good. Following week looks for 'rugby' in the tv guide and tunes in to watch some numpty union game and thinks geez that is pretty sht after all. Viewer lost.
Only a fool would think two different sports being called the same thing is a good idea!

 

[Wb1234]

Is it? Someone tunes in to watch a Vegas game, thinks that was pretty good. Following week looks for 'rugby' in the tv guide and tunes in to watch some numpty union game and thinks geez that is pretty sht after all. Viewer lost.
Only a fool would think two different sports being called the same thing is a good idea!

You’re the first pom ever who thinks we should stop using the term rugby

Heck In many places around the world when people say rugby they mean rugby league (including hull)

Piggybacking off Union by being the better version of rugby is an easy way for rugby league to grow around the world.

Since modern day rugby league rules began in 1907 when the northern UNION was formed in 1895 what game were they playing for 12 years

In 1882 a club call Kingston amateurs was formed 13 years before the nu was formed and 25 years before most of the rules of rugby league were implemented. Does all that get wiped off ?

There are two versions of rugby. Any league fan who calls union rugby is just doing the work of union which claims to be the only rugby code

 

[Perth Red]

You’re the first pom ever who thinks we should stop using the term rugby

Heck In many places around the world when people say rugby they mean rugby league (including hull)

Piggybacking off Union by being the better version of rugby is an easy way for rugby league to grow around the world.

Since modern day rugby league rules began in 1907 when the northern UNION was formed in 1895 what game were they playing for 12 years

In 1882 a club call Kingston amateurs was formed 13 years before the nu was formed and 25 years before most of the rules of rugby league were implemented. Does all that get wiped off ?

There are two versions of rugby. Any league fan who calls union rugby is just doing the work of union which claims to be the only rugby code

I think we lost the battle for its use when we allowed Union to just use 'Rugby' a couple of decades ago.
Even in England once you get south of Sheffield and say rugby the country thinks you're talking about union. in fact the M62 Corridor and Cumbria is the only place in the world where if you said you follow 'Rugby' they would assume you are talking about League. The odds of a yank having any notion that when they tune in to watch 'rugby' it could be league or union is fanciful at best. we are being tainted by an inferior product.

as for your historical nonsense, its consigned to the history books and has nothing to do with today.

The name battle is lost, time to evolve again including in name.

 

[Wb1234]

I think we lost the battle for its use when we allowed Union to just use 'Rugby' a couple of decades ago.
Even in England once you get south of Sheffield and say rugby the country thinks you're talking about union. in fact the M62 Corridor and Cumbria is the only place in the world where if you said you follow 'Rugby' they would assume you are talking about League. The odds of a yank having any notion that when they tune in to watch 'rugby' it could be league or union is fanciful at best. we are being tainted by an inferior product.

as for your historical nonsense, its consigned to the history books and has nothing to do with today.

The name battle is lost, time to evolve again including in name.

Nah rugby league will be the dominant rugby code around the world down the track

The nrl will just end up crushing the life out of union globally

And parts of nz and Melbourne call league Rugby (probably all fumbler states)

But yeh you don’t include Victorians count as league fans do you ????

lol!

Take Australia for example why should a tiny minority dictate what the dominant sport is called

 

[Perth Red]

Nah rugby league will be the dominant rugby code around the world down the track

The nrl will just end up crushing the life out of union globally

And parts of nz and Melbourne call league Rugby (probably all fumbler states)

But yeh you don’t include Victorians count as league fans do you ????

lol!

Take Australia for example why should a tiny minority dictate what the dominant sport is called

You need to get out more. aside from a handful of geographical locations it isn't anywhere near dominant over union. I very much doubt most Victorians call league 'Rugby' unless they've emigrated from North of England lol
Maybe in a few hundred years but neither you nor I will be around to care and hopefully they will have changed our name by then lol

 

[Wb1234]

You need to get out more. aside from a handful of geographical locations it isn't anywhere near dominant over union. I very much doubt most Victorians call league 'Rugby' unless they've emigrated from North of England lol
Maybe in a few hundred years but neither you nor I will be around to care and hopefully they will have changed our name by then lol

Ask your fumbler mates that’s all they call it
Most don’t even know union exists

The nrl tv deal is pretty much worth the same as all the union tv deals around the world combined

The nrl is the worlds leading rugby competition by a long way

And it’s growing at a rapid pace whilst union is stagnating

 

[kurt faulk]

The game has used RL in it's logo for decades. NSWRL, ARL and finally NRL.

It would be pretty dumb to drop it now after building decades of brand recognition. If some newbie is watching the game for the first time they should see NRL on the screen. If they like it they will go the the NRL website.

Everybody promoting the game is calling it rugby league, not rugby. NRL is splashed on every ad. People interested will go to the NRL website.

.

 

[Vlad59]

The game has used RL in it's logo for decades. NSWRL, ARL and finally NRL.

It would be pretty dumb to drop it now after building decades of brand recognition. If some newbie is watching the game for the first time they should see NRL on the screen. If they like it they will go the the NRL website.

Everybody promoting the game is calling it rugby league, not rugby. NRL is splashed on every ad. People interested will go to the NRL website.

.

I’ve never heard rugby league referred to as rugby in my life. It’s ‘league’ ‘rugby league’ or ‘footy’. In fact I’m hearing it referred to as simply NRL a lot these days. Not sure why it matters mind you.