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SALT LAKE CITY — Through four of the team’s five home game of the inaugural season, the Salt Lake Stallions were building a modest fanbase.
But when news of the team’s demise amid the suspension of operations of the Alliance of American Football became public, many football fans on the Wasatch Fronts were left without a team.
The abrupt change in direction from league chairman Tom Dundon left coaches without a team, team personnel and staff members without employment, and players without a place to live, as league-paid hotels and housing were cut off during the week.
Utah’s Major League Rugby squad can't fix everything. But they want to try to fill part of that void.
The Utah Warriors are offering complimentary tickets to Friday’s match against the Seattle Seawolves to all season ticket holders and fans who previously bought tickets to see the Salt Lake Stallions’ would-be season finale, scheduled for April 12.
Kickoff on Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m. MDT at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman. Fans interested in claiming the tickets can visit warriorsrugby.com/promotions and use the promo code STALLIONS.
It’s a similar offering that other non-traditional pro sports teams have made in former Alliance of American Football markets. The San Diego Seals of the indoor-based National Lacrosse League offered tickets to all former San Diego Fleet season ticket holders on Wednesday, when the AAF formally ceased operations.
“I can tell you as an owner and the GM of the Warriors that running a team and league is hard work and nothing is promised,” Warriors general manager Kimball Kjar said in a letter to all Utah season ticket holders. “With your support as ticket holders, we are confident about our upcoming third season and beyond. We just announced new teams for the 2020 and 2021 seasons including Atlanta, Boston and Dallas. We are also picking up new season ticket holders and fans every week.”
The Warriors extended their best wishes to Stallions players, coaches and staff members who were abruptly laid off in the middle of their inaugural season Tuesday and Wednesday. A spokesman with the club say the state’s second-year rugby franchise just wants to fill a void, and maybe bring in few football fans who are interested in giving rugby a try.
“We look forward to seeing you Friday, and appreciate you all as the loudest crowd in Major League Rugby,” Kjar said.
