A split is disappointing, but not surprising. Utah were never going to just accept the USARL decision and the name calling from both sides has definitely aggravated the situation.
Hopefully when tensions die down there can be a bit of olive branch extending so it's not a complete fracture. If I was the USARL I'd let the URLA run RL in Utah (and they can throw in a few surrounding states as well if they want), recognise them as an affiliate and leave them to grow, but don't include them in any national activities.
The relationship would allow the URLA to still get insurance & grow their junior program, whilst the USARL can still count these clubs & numbers in their IRL/ERL membership, but it would be a very limited relationship.
Over time, if the URLA don't implode, they'll come back into the fold as new people will join who don't care for the battles of the past, they just want their team to have the opportunity to participate in something that the full member leagues can (ie. Voting rights or national premiership or having their players play for the Hawks)
