Force 10 Sports Management adds professional rugby to portfolio with the Seattle Seawolves

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 5, 2018

Contact: Kimberly Veale; Director, Communications



(206) 272-2706, KVeale@Force10Sports.com

SEATTLE – Force 10 Enterprises, LLC, owned by Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder and Dawn Trudeau, the parent company of Force 10 Hoops, LLC and Force 10 Sports Management, LLC, has added a third team to its portfolio, Major League Rugby’s Seattle Seawolves. This news comes following an announcement earlier today that the management company is running ticket sales and service for the NWSL’s Seattle Reign FC.

Force 10 Sports Management, LLC will provide strategic communications consultation for the Seawolves, who are a founding member of Major League Rugby, set to kick off the league’s inaugural season in 2018 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Wash.



“As we look to expand our business model, we are excited to add a Major League Rugby franchise the Seattle Seawolves to the Force 10 Sports Management portfolio,” said Alisha Valavanis, President of Force 10 Sports Management, LLC. “Rugby is growing at an incredible rate and we look forward to working with co-owner Shane Skinner and their executive team to develop strategy and brand positioning for the Seawolves in the Seattle market.”



Force 10 Sports Management, LLC provides operational, sales, marketing, and communications expertise to stage world-class sport and entertainment events. Based in Seattle, Wash., the company is wholly owned by Force 10 Enterprises, LLC, which also owns and operates Force 10 Hoops, LLC, better known as the Seattle Storm, a two-time WNBA Champion franchise. Force 10 Sports Management, LLC currently boasts a management portfolio that includes the NWSL’s Seattle Reign FC, Major League Rugby’s Seattle Seawolves and the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Championship. The company has previously hosted one-time events in the Seattle area, including the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, Jamal Crawford’s summer Pro-Am in 2014 and USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp in 2012 prior to the London Olympics.



"We are thrilled to partner with Force 10 Sports Management to help support our PR and marketing efforts,” said Skinner. “Their expertise, relationships, and commitment to growing the sport of rugby in the Pacific Northwest will be invaluable in the coming months leading into the season opener on April 22nd."



In its inaugural season, the Seattle Seawolves will play a regular season of 8 matches, kicking off at home April 22 vs. San Diego. The team will play a total of four regular-season matches at Starfire, including April 28 vs. Glendale, May 20 vs. Utah, and May 27 vs. New Orleans. MLR will open with seven teams across the country in a season that will span April, May, and June.



MLR and CBS Sports Network have entered into exclusive, multi-year television partnership and CBS Sports Network will televise the inaugural MLR season, marking the first national television partnership in the history of American professional rugby. CBS Sports Network will televise a 13-game package with 10 weeks of regular season coverage – highlighted by a Major League Rugby Game of the Week – and two weeks of postseason coverage in 2018, including the semifinals and the first MLR Championship Game.



The team recently announced the majority of its inaugural season roster that includes a number of seasoned rugby veterans: Garrett Bender, Eric Duechle, and Nick Wallace. Bender competed with Team USA with the return of Rugby 7s to the 2016 Olympics and will bring his explosive playstyle to 15s with the Seawolves, while Air Force captain and former USA Eagle Eric Duechle has been affectionately named ‘The Beast’ in the rugby community for his imposing frame at 6’5” and 250 lbs. Bellingham native Nick Wallace will also aid the Seawolves in their quest to win the first MLR championship, having began his rugby career with Chuckanut Bay Rugby Club and owning several years of experience with the US National Team under his belt.



The franchise is just under three months out from its April 22 season-opener and the first-ever professional rugby match in Seattle. A founding member of Major League Rugby, the Seattle Seawolves are set to kick-off vs. San Diego Legion at 6 pm/PT at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. Tickets are available now by visiting www.SeattleSeawolves.com.



ABOUT FORCE 10 SPORTS MANAGEMENT, LLC

Force 10 Sports Management, LLC, a vertical of Force 10 Enterprises, is a management firm that operates world-class sport and entertainment events. Based in Seattle, Wash., the company owns and operates the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and currently boasts a management portfolio that includes the NWSL’s Seattle Reign FC, MLR’s Seattle Seawolves and the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Championship. The company has previously hosted one-time events in the Seattle area, including the 2017 WNBA All-Star Game, Jamal Crawford’s summer Pro-Am in 2014 and USA Basketball Women’s National Team training camp in 2012 prior to the London Olympics.

ABOUT THE SEATTLE SEAWOLVES

A founding member of Major League Rugby (MLR), the Seattle Seawolves kick off their inaugural season in 2018 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington. With an ownership group led by Seattle-based entrepreneurs Adrian Balfour and Shane Skinner, the organization strives to develop, cultivate and expand the game of rugby in the U.S. while fostering discipline, duty, respect and a spirit of inclusion both on and off the pitch. Through community outreach efforts, the Seattle Seawolves fulfill a key pillar of the franchise’s philosophy, enriching the Puget Sound region’s youth through engagement, leadership and service. Select Major League Rugby games will be televised on the CBS Sports Network as part of an exclusive, multi-year television partnership between MLR and the television network. Season tickets are now on sale; to purchase, please visit www.SeattleSeawolves.com.

ABOUT THE SEATTLE STORM

The Seattle Storm is a two-time WNBA championship team committed to bringing a premium professional basketball and entertainment experience to a fan base rich in tradition and support. The organization places high value on community and building platforms to positively impact the overall entertainment, attraction and economy of the Puget Sound region. In addition, the Storm is dedicated to local youth development in the areas of fitness and wellness; with a special emphasis on inspiring leadership, motivation and the empowerment of girls and women. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit StormBasketball.com.