GLOBALIZATION OF SPORT FINAL EXAM
QUESTION: You are the Director of Global Strategy for World Rugby (the International Federation for Rugby). Due to the recent unprecedented global growth, popularity, interest, and the debut of Rugby Sevens at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games, World Rugby seeks to maximize this new exposure of their sport. World Rugby aims to continue to expand and develop the sport of rugby globally, particularly by capitalizing on the available U.S. market.
In 2016, the first professional rugby league in the U.S. (PRO Rugby) was created. Yet, the PRO Rugby league folded in that same year after one season. In 2018, the San Francisco Bay area will host the Rugby World Cup Sevens. World Rugby seeks to leverage the upcoming U.S. hosted Rugby World Cup to encourage the growth of the sport in the U.S. and globally. Further, World Rugby plans to encourage and support USA Rugby in any capacity, including to secure a lucrative television broadcasting deal for rugby in the U.S. The international federation believes such a television deal is the key to increase the global exposure of rugby long-term by developing the sport further in the U.S. market.
As Director of Global Strategy, write a memorandum to the World Rugby CEO analyzing relevant globalization, internationalization, regionalism, nationalism, and localization issues and challenges related to the expansion and development of Rugby in the U.S. Use your knowledge based upon the content from the course including but not limited to class discussions, guest speakers, course readings, articles, and group presentations to identify a relevant global sport issue on EACH level. Make sure to include what can be learned from the failed attempt of the PRO Rugby league. You are welcome to conduct any outside research.
For each issue that you identify, make sure to (1) clearly identify the issue with a header, (2) explain and define why the issue is significant, and (3) propose how to overcome or minimize the issue or challenge. Lastly, come to a final concise conclusion and recommendation supported by your entire issue analysis on the direction that World Rugby should take in the next five years to meet their globalization goals via the U.S.