AOL and One World Sports back launch of Pro Rugby

The Professional Rugby Organization has agreed rights deals with North American pay-television broadcaster One World Sports and US media company AOL for the launch of its new Pro Rugby league.

One World Sports will act as the competition’s cable television partner, with AOL.com becoming the worldwide digital live streaming partner. Terms of the deals were not disclosed, but AOL said the agreement marks its first move into live sports streaming.

Pro Rugby is a professional league comprised of five teams located in North America, and is the first competition to be sanctioned by USA Rugby and World Rugby, the respective governing bodies of American and global rugby union.

The inaugural season commences on Sunday with Denver taking on Ohio and Sacramento facing San Francisco.