I can understand where PRO Rugby is coming from, certainly. The Pro12 only want to thicken it's revenue and has no interest in developing American rugby. If it was to fail, which most likely would, the Pro12 could just walk away with no harm done - something I wish they would do to the Italians. I agree with PRO that it would be more detrimental than beneficial to North American rugby.
And, as an Ulster fan I would hate to see my team go to the States to play, it wouldn't interest me and I think it would devalue not just the Pro12 but also international club rugby as well.
On that note, I also see why PRO would want to protect their investments, they care about North American rugby but not like the USA Rugby does. Yes they want to grow it and make it sustainable but that's so they can make money of it, and there is nothing wrong with that. The man has put a lot of his own money into it so he wants to make it back plus some. He runs the professional aspect and the Union runs the grass roots.
However, I think his team owning model is flawed and greedy. He's banking on this being a big success and if he runs all the teams then he will see huge profits. He has previously stated that PRO owns all the teams and investors can only invest in the league, not the teams. Which I think it cutting your own nose off to spite the face. Look at the Austin Huns, they have big plans and could be a real asset to the league. If they allowed private ownership while adhering to League rules and regulations, salary cap and player draft for example then this league would have no issues. But when you have one guy controlling everything from the centre all it takes is one thing to go wrong for him and that's it.
This would also allow a lot of foreign investment and teams like the Seattle Saracens would perhaps turn fully professional and look after the Pacific North West for PRO and the Union. Leagues, teams and people with money could buy Franchises which I think would America a little better.
