The Miami Sharks are a professional rugby union team in Major League Rugby (MLR) based in Miami, Florida. The team was founded in 2023 and began play during the 2024 season. Their home stadium is AutoNation Sports Field in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on the training grounds of Major League Soccer club Inter Miami CF.
 | |
| Full name | Miami Sharks Rugby Club |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Location | Miami, Florida |
| Ground(s) | AutoNation Sports Field (Capacity: 5,000) |
| Chairman | Ronaldo Strazzolini Alejandro Macfarlane Marcos Galperin |
| Coach(es) | José Pellicena |
| Captain(s) | Tomás Cubelli |
| Most caps | Five players (16) |
| Top scorer | Santiago Videla (74) |
| Most tries | Nick Grigg (7) |
| League(s) | Major League Rugby |
| Official website | |
| www | |
History
editOn February 8, 2023, Major League Rugby announced that the Miami Sharks would be joining the league in 2024.[1] Owned by Argentine businessmen Ronaldo “Kony” Strazzolini, Alejandro Macfarlane, and Mercado Libre chairman Marcos Galperin,[2] the team appointed former Toronto Arrows executive Mark Winokur as CEO, Mariano Marco as COO and former Argentina U20 manager José Pellicena as head coach.[3][4] Pellicena has also previously served as an assistant with the Argentina national team under Mario Ledesma and former Super Rugby side Jaguares under Raúl Pérez.[5]
On April 26, 2023 the Sharks announced the signing of Argentine international scrum-half Tomás Cubelli, the first player's signing of the team.[6] The same day, the team held a launch party in Miami with a few Argentine company directors and personalities like tennis player Juan Martín del Potro, model Claudia Albertario and former Argentina international player Juan Martín Hernández who's one of the franchise's ambassadors.[7]
In July 2023 the Miami Sharks parted ways with CEO Mark Winokur and hired Mariano Filippini for the position. Filippini previously played as a flanker for Club San Andrés and more recently was an executive for Univision and HSBC Bank Argentina.[8]
On September 15, 2023 the Sharks announced that a partnership with Inter Miami CF would allow them to play home games at the AutoNation Sports Field, their training facility in Fort Lauderdale. The stadium capacity would be expanded to include up to 5,000 spectators.[9]
Colors and identity
editThe Sharks' crest displays a blue and white shark with pink strokes alongside a rugby ball and the term "Miami Sharks". The team main colors are neon-styled pink and blue that paid homage to the hit 1980s TV series Miami Vice which has become a symbol of Miami and identified with the city.[10][11] Miami Vice relied on a pastel color pallet, reminiscent of the Miami Heat "Vice" special uniforms, that became very popular and inspired the team colours.[11]
After the team's founding, the Sharks quickly unveiled three playing kits. One of the jerseys is mainly white with hints of electric blue and bright pink while the others display pink-to-black and blue-to-pink gradations.[12][13]
Established by Bonaerenses, the team has a strong Argentine connection and ties with Latin America. Two of the three owners played rugby union in Argentina: Macfarlane for Belgrano Athletic Club like Pellicena, and Galperin for Club San Andrés.[7] The latter stated: “We are excited to create a rugby experience in South Florida that will wake the Latin passion in the community and generate a sense of belonging.” Choices of coaching staff and executives reflect the club's Argentine identity.[2]
Ownership
editThe original ownership pool was led by three Argentine businessmen and company directors: financial services firm Magna Capital president Ronaldo “Kony” Strazzolini, natural gas distribution company Camuzzi Gas main shareholder Alejandro Macfarlane and e-commerce company Mercado Libre funder and CEO Marcos Galperin, the wealthiest man in Argentina with an estimated net worth of $5 billion. Alongside the three founding owners, other investors like Santiago Ocampo, Martín Migoya, Edgardo Defortuna and Gabriel Martino own shares.[14]
Players and personnel
editCurrent squad
editThe Miami Sharks squad for the 2024 Major League Rugby season is:[15]
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
- Senior 15s and senior 7s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
- * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
- MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.
Current coaching staff
edit- José “Cochi” Pellicena (Head Coach)
- Tui Osborne (Assistant Coach) [16]
- Oscar Durán (Forwards Coach)
Head coaches
edit
José “Cochi” Pellicena (2023-Present)
Records
editSeason standings
edit| Season | Conference | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/− | BP | Pts | Pld | W | L | F | A | +/− | Result | |||
| 2024 | Eastern | 5th | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 335 | 389 | -54 | 8 | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Did not qualify | |
| Totals | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 335 | 389 | -54 | 8 | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 postseason appearances | |||
Sponsorships
editThe Sharks have signed sponsorship deals with investment advisory company BlackToro and Argentine financial services company VALO.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ "Expansion Teams Headline Off-Season of Growth for Major League Rugby". Major League Rugby. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
- ^ a b "Miami Sharks joining Major League Rugby in 2024". America Rugby News. February 8, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ @miasharksrugby (March 19, 2023). "Please join us in welcoming Mariano Marco as the new COO of the Miami Sharks". Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ Harvey, Joe (April 26, 2023). "Miami Sharks CEO Mark Winokur on MLR's incoming team and taking professional rugby to the next level". The Rugby Network. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "José Pellicena to coach Miami, Tomás Cubelli first signing". America Rugby News. April 25, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ Bendon, Philip (April 27, 2023). "Major League Rugby: Miami Sharks Sign Los Pumas Star For 2024 Season". FloSports. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Ikeda, Paula (April 28, 2023). "Marcos Galperin. Todos los invitados a la presentación de Miami Shark, su club de rugby, en el Faena Theater". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "MLR Notes: Miami poised to sign trio, Arrows trade, and more". Americas Rugby News. July 29, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (September 16, 2023). "Miami Sharks pro rugby team has deep Argentina ties, will play at Inter Miami facility". Miami Herald. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Winderman, Ira (December 1, 2020). "Miami Heat unveil dramatic new finale edition of Vice uniforms". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ a b Lowe, Zach (December 1, 2020). "Why the Miami Heat are going even further with their stunning new 'Vice' uniforms". ESPN. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ @miasharksrugby (March 3, 2023). "Help us choose our team's jersey" (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ @miasharksrugby (May 12, 2023). "Gear up with the Sharks" (Tweet). Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Miami Sharks: el empresario más rico de Argentina y un grupo de socios compraron un equipo de rugby en EEUU". Infobae (in Spanish). April 27, 2023. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "Miami Sharks". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
- ^ "Osborne named assistant for pro team in Miami; will remain with Bonaventure rugby program". St. Bonaventure University. November 15, 2023. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ @miasharksrugby (March 10, 2023). "Miami Sharks and BlackTORO Global Investments have signed a binding Memorandum of Understanding to enter into a Sponsorship Agreement". Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Instagram.
- ^ @miasharksrugby (April 5, 2023). "Please welcome VALO to the Sharks family". Retrieved June 18, 2023 – via Instagram.
External links
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