In a move reminiscent of European football stars turning to Major League Soccer, France’s Antoine Dupont has joined the ownership group of Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA), signalling a significant moment for rugby’s expansion in the United States.
The 28-year-old, widely considered one of the most complete rugby players of the modern era, becomes one of the first active global stars to take an equity stake in a Major League Rugby (MLR) franchise.
Dupont’s company, Ouest Coast, will now be involved in shaping RFCLA’s sporting and commercial future as the club enters the second half of its sophomore season.
“Rugby is more than just a sport; it’s a community with strong values,” Dupont said in a club statement. “Beyond success on the pitch, I’m excited to help grow rugby’s popularity in the States and build a hub for global rugby culture here in Los Angeles.”
His arrival comes at a critical time for rugby in the US, with Los Angeles set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, and the country preparing to stage the 2031 Men’s and 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cups.
The presence of a figure like Dupont — Olympic gold medallist, Six Nations champion, and two-time European club winner — offers the kind of credibility and visibility that MLR has long been seeking.
RFCLA, founded in 2023, has made steady progress in the league’s Western Conference, with notable performances this season including a recent home victory against Anthem Carolina. The club has drawn on international experience both on and off the pitch, with players such as former Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano and now Dupont himself adding to its profile.
Club CEO Pete Sickle called Dupont’s involvement “a privilege,” saying it represents a “new era” for the club. “His vision for integrating high-performance rugby with community values and commercial development is exactly what the game in the U.S. needs,” Sickle said.
Dupont, who continues to play for Stade Toulousain in France, is also one of the few elite players to have starred in both the 15s and 7s formats at the top level in the same year. His dual success, including Olympic gold in Paris and a Six Nations title in 2025, positions him as a figure capable of bridging elite competition and broader sporting markets.
As MLR looks to establish a stronger foothold in the North American sports scene, Dupont’s move suggests a growing belief that the US is a legitimate stage for long-term rugby development.
