Women's Elite Rugby (WER) Company Profile

Background

Women's Elite Rugby (WER) is the first professional women's rugby union league in the United States, established to elevate the sport by providing a professional platform for female athletes. Founded in 2023, WER launched its inaugural season in March 2025 with six teams: Bay Breakers, Boston Banshees, Chicago Tempest, Denver Onyx, New York Exiles, and Twin Cities Gemini. The league's mission is to set the defining standard of rugby in the U.S., transitioning from the amateur Women's Premier League (WPL) to a professional structure that compensates athletes and staff.

Key Strategic Focus

WER aims to professionalize women's rugby in the U.S. by:

Establishing a Professional League: Transitioning from the amateur WPL to a professional model that offers financial compensation to players and staff.

Expanding Market Presence: Launching teams in key metropolitan areas with strong rugby traditions, including Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, the Bay Area, and the Twin Cities.

Enhancing Player Development: Providing a structured pathway for athletes to progress from amateur to professional levels within the U.S., reducing the need for players to seek opportunities abroad.

Building Fan Engagement: Partnering with global streaming services like DAZN to broadcast matches worldwide, increasing visibility and fan engagement.

Financials and Funding

WER's financial strategy includes:

Pre-Seed Funding: In April 2024, WER raised $500,000 through Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) with venture capital firm Chasing Rainbows and former Procter & Gamble executive Deb Henretta, among other private investors.

Seed Funding: Aiming to raise $3 million in a seed round initiated in May 2024, with plans for a Series A round in mid-2025.

Revenue Streams: Generating income through broadcasting rights, sponsorships, ticket sales, and merchandise, with a goal to achieve profitability by the third season.

Technological Platform and Innovation

WER leverages technology to enhance the rugby experience:

Broadcasting: Partnering with DAZN to livestream matches globally, making games accessible to a wider audience.

Fan Engagement: Utilizing digital platforms and social media to connect with fans, provide updates, and promote the league and its players.

Leadership Team

WER's leadership comprises experienced professionals dedicated to advancing women's rugby:

Jessica Hammond-Graf: President. A former U.S. rugby sevens national team player and Assistant Professor in Sport Management at Vermont State University.

Katherine Aversano: Vice President. Legal historian and information specialist at the Department of Justice.

Phil Camm: Executive Adviser. Former General Manager of the Dallas Jackals.

Board of Directors: Includes Stacy Carone, Koma Gandy, Jenny Houlihan, and Hallie Martin, alongside Hammond-Graf and Aversano.

Competitor Profile

While WER is pioneering professional women's rugby in the U.S., it faces competition from established leagues abroad:

Premiership Women's Rugby (England): Offers semi-professional contracts and has attracted top American players.

Super W (Australia): A professional women's rugby competition that could appeal to international talent.

Domestically, WER's primary challenge is to establish itself as the premier women's rugby league, differentiating from amateur competitions and other emerging leagues.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

WER has formed key partnerships to strengthen its operations:

USA Rugby: Formalized a sanctioning agreement to align with World Rugby standards and regulations.

Destination Sport Group: Appointed as the Official Travel Partner, managing logistics for teams and staff.

Operational Insights

WER's operational strategy focuses on:

Market Selection: Launching teams in cities with strong rugby traditions and fan bases.

Player Compensation: Providing monthly stipends to players, with plans to expand financial support as the league grows.

Staffing: Employing full-time front office staff to manage team operations and league administration.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

WER's future plans include:

Expansion: Growing the league to eight or more teams within the first ten seasons.

Talent Development: Establishing development programs to nurture young talent and create a pipeline to the professional league.

Global Events: Leveraging upcoming events like the 2028 Olympics and the 2033 Women's Rugby World Cup in the U.S. to boost the league's profile and attract sponsorships.