“It is important we are creative and develop opportunities beyond our own borders and we are very much looking forward to growing our relationship with the team in Washington in the years to come.”

Scottish Rugby Chief Executive, Mark Dodson, added: “This is a strategic international partnership, which I am pleased we have secured to become the first Tier 1 nation to take this step with a team in the MLR.

"We see this relationship as having a number of benefits for rugby in Scotland as well as developing our global rugby footprint.”

The founding partners of Old Glory DC agreed.

“From the day we joined forces to explore the feasibility of creating an MLR team in DC, we carefully pursued additional partners who could bring not only capital but also strategic value,” said Old Glory chairman Chris Dunlavey.

“We could not have imagined this search ending with a better strategic partner than Scottish Rugby.”

Added his partner, Paul Sheehy, “Scottish Rugby is not only one of the top-ranked Tier 1 national governing bodies in rugby, but they own two professional rugby teams in the PRO14; they own and operate BT Murrayfield Stadium; they’re a one-sixth owner of the Six Nations tournament; and a one-third owner of the PRO14.

"Whatever we need to learn in rugby, this is a relationship to guide us.”

“This investment by Scottish Rugby is not just a commitment to our team in DC,” said Dunlavey.

“This is also a major statement of confidence in the future of Major League Rugby and the growth of the sport in the U.S.”

Old Glory DC and Scottish Rugby worked openly with, and with the full support of, both MLR and USA Rugby while forging this association.

“From the start, the owners of MLR’s Washington, DC membership have demonstrated the highest professionalism and a long-term view toward building a sustainable, successful rugby organization,” said MLR Commissioner Dean Howes.

“Their link with Scottish Rugby is just another sign of that commitment.”

The team’s founders adopted the name “Old Glory” from a nickname for the flag of the United States – but with what they see as decided connections to rugby culture.

The original namesake was a U.S. flag owned by a former American naval captain, who had flown it on his ship as he sailed around the world.

He later kept the flag hidden while he lived in rebel-occupied Nashville Tennessee during the American Civil War, only to fly it again with pride when Union armies marched in to liberate the city. The original Old Glory now resides in the Smithsonian Institution museum in Washington.

“Sure, it’s meant to be patriotic,” said Old Glory DC chairman Chris Dunlavey.

“Here in the DC area, it’s only right that our brand celebrates our country. But Old Glory is not just any flag. It’s been places. It’s battle-scarred. It’s weather-beaten. But still it flies proud. It symbolizes all the strength, resilience, commitment, and substance over style that are the hallmarks of rugby.”

About Old Glory DC



Old Glory DC is a professional rugby club based in Washington, DC that officially joined Major League Rugby in November 2018 and will begin league play in MLR’s 2020 season. The club will play a series of exhibition games throughout the first half of 2019. As a recent addition to the fabric of the nation’s capital and the entire mid-Atlantic community, Old Glory DC’s vision is to grow the sport of rugby in our region by 50% by 2023. The club is owned by life-long rugby players Paul Sheehy and Chris Dunlavey, who are proud to bring professional rugby to their home town for the first time ever. For more information, visit www.oldglorydc.com.