The Pro 12 has declared its intention to break into the American market.

For a number of months now, Pro 12 chiefs have been hinting at major a major overhaul of the competition.

Initially they floated the idea of dividing the league into conferences so as to reduce the number of fixtures and increase the participation of the competition’s star players.

Although the idea was broadly welcomed by supporters, question marks were raised when the IRFU’s CEO, Philip Browne revealed that the league was looking incorporate an American franchise.

While Browne did not announce a time frame for the inclusion of the US based franchise, it is widely assumed that a plan would be in place to make the Pro 12 attractive to broadcasters before their current deal with Sky comes up for renewal at the conclusion of the 2017/18 season.

However, fans remain skeptical, with many asking if an American TV network would in fact be willing to buy the rights to broadcast Pro 12 fixtures in the US.

Although that question remains unanswered, it would seem that the Pro 12 is beginning to generate interest in the US, after The Rugby Paper revealed American financiers, Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, are looking into the possibility of establishing two franchises in the country.

?@TheRugbyPaper report Swansea City’s American investors are interested in the Ospreys and #Pro12Rugbypic.twitter.com/6ZzK6DgZlv — Illtud W. Dafydd (@IlltudDafydd) August 21, 2016

The duo are the current owners of Swansea City Football Club and are looking to take advantage of the Pro 12’s American proposal and branch into rugby.

Both Levien and Kaplan have already met with the Pro 12’s hierarchy and have held similar discussions with the Ospreys as to possible collaboration.

Although little else was reported, Levien and Kaplan have a background in investing in sport, having been involved in takeovers at Philadelphia 76ers, DC United, AC Milan, Memphis Grizzlies, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena

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