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Colton Strickler is a media representative for DNVR Rugby. In the first part of our discussion we focused on the Colorado XO Rugby Club that is focused on rugby training for crossover or “talent transfer” athletes from other sports. In the 2nd part I let Colton ask some handball newbie questions he has as a rugby guy. Then we discuss Major League Rugby (MLR), the relatively new pro rugby competition in the U.S. and the inherent challenges with starting a new professional league.
- Some of the topics discussed during our Handball Q&A session
- Did Jake Plummer play handball? Yes, but the wrong handball: Link
- The semantic problems of handball/team handball: Link
- How should a newcomer watch a handball match?
- The success/failure rate for handball keepers
- Where handball can be seen during the Olympics: Link
- How handball is organized in Europe
- Who is the Handball GOAT and who are the top players today?
- Handball in Denver: Denver Direwolves: Website Facebook Instagram
- Rugby/Handball Parallels in terms of crossover development
- Can athletes be convinced to transfer to new sports at younger ages?
- Will those athletes eventually get overtaken by higher caliber athletes?
- NFL Players playing handball vs a Pro Club in Hungary
- Earlier podcast with former NFL TE Gary Barnidge: Link
- Why did the Handball community get mad when Jay Cutler said he could lead U.S. to Olympic Gold?
- Some background on Cutlergate: Link
- Why some positions in both sports are harder to crossover to
- What aspects of game play are easier to transition to in both sports
- Why not going out of bounds in rugby is like learning to use 3 steps in handball
- Major League Rugby (MLR) Discussion (MLR Website)
- How the MLR is financed?
- Similar to the MLS structure
- Several multi-millionaires including, Adam Gilcrest, who owns the F45 Fitness Centers
- Bob Rich, the billionaire handball player: Link
- Challenges new leagues have with attendance and the optics of empty seats
- Bottom Line: New leagues usually lose money… until they finally sign a good TV deal that pays
- Player salaries: Low end to high end; Salary cap of ~$500K; and creative ways around the cap
- Matt Giteau, a sort of David Beckham for the MLR
- The importance of making match video readily available. Handball: ehfTV Rugby: The Rugby Network
- How the MLR is financed?
- Colorado XO Website: Link
- Colorado XO Rugby on Social Media
- Facebook: Link
- DNVR Rugby Website: Link
- DNVR Twitter: Link
- Colton Strickler on Twitter: Link
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And, be sure to check out the podcast archive with interviews and great handball discussion going all the way back to 2006: Link