Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

'To break America, rugby must learn to love its stars'

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Wednesday, 08 January 2025 00:30

When it first opened its London office in 2019, Roc Nation Sports International had no intention of moving into rugby.

However, intrigued by the commotion around England's run in the tournament, a curious Yormark watched that year's Rugby World Cup final in the back of an executive car on the way north to meet Manchester City midfielder and Roc Nation client Kevin de Bruyne.

Yormark heard a victorious Kolisi speak about the relationship between South Africa and the Springboks. He read about Kolisi's township upbringing, when the future flanker's favourite toy was a brick. He was convinced. A few weeks later, Kolisi had signed with Roc Nation.

Roc Nation uses star power from other parts of their business to shine a light on such stories: Kolisi has hung out with NBA legend Kevin Durant, while Itoje has spent time with superstar producer DJ Khaled at his Miami home.

Convincing rugby's stars to promote themselves as aggressively as artists in other arenas, though, has proved a challenge.

It often falls to Paul Adesoye. Roc Nation's head of rugby has to overcome an ingrained culture that prioritises the dressing-room collective above individual empire building, even if the example of United States sevens player and social media superstar Ilona Maher has changed perspectives.

"Over here the guys are a little bit more reticent about doing it," said Adesoye. "To be honest, they are a bit nervous about the reaction of their team-mates and their clubs as well. But it is slowly changing.

"Danny Care has launched a vlog and done a podcast - granted he is towards the end of his career, but it is becoming more common in the sport.

"I think it will eventually go in the direction of how it has in the United States where you have current NBA players doing podcasts during the season, telling their story first-hand. It is a matter of time."

Whether it will be in time for rugby's big push west, though, is the question.

Read 37 times

Soccer

Wirtz among trio of key injuries for Leverkusen

Wirtz among trio of key injuries for Leverkusen

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLEVERKUSEN, Germany -- Bayer Leverkusen are fretting about the fitn...

Salah: Suspended Slot angry at first-half showing

Salah: Suspended Slot angry at first-half showing

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool forward Mohamed Salah has revealed head coach Arne Slot w...

Pulisic scores 2 to give Milan 'very important' win

Pulisic scores 2 to give Milan 'very important' win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChristian Pulisic was the hero for AC Milan on Saturday with his tw...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Tucker joining Knicks on 10-day deal

Sources: Tucker joining Knicks on 10-day deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent P.J. Tucker has agreed to sign with the New York Knicks...

Raps' Shead sees game-winning shot waved off

Raps' Shead sees game-winning shot waved off

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- Jamal Shead flipped the ball high off the glass at the b...

Baseball

Rangers' DeGrom, Langford make ST debuts

Rangers' DeGrom, Langford make ST debuts

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSURPRISE, Ariz. -- Pitcher Jacob deGrom and outfielder Wyatt Langfo...

Braves' Profar leaves game with jammed wrist

Braves' Profar leaves game with jammed wrist

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNORTH PORT, Fla. -- Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar left...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated