 | ||
| Full name | Miami Sharks Rugby Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2023; 2 years ago (2023) | |
| Disbanded | 2025; 0 years ago (2025) | |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | |
| Ground | AutoNation Sports Field (Capacity: 5,000) | |
| Chairman | Ronaldo Strazzolini Alejandro Macfarlane Marcos Galperin | |
| Coach | José Pellicena | |
| Captain | Tomás Cubelli | |
| Mostcaps | Five players (16) | |
| Top scorer | Santiago Videla (74) | |
| Most tries | Nick Grigg (7) | |
| League | Major League Rugby | |
| ||
| Official website | ||
| miamisharks | ||
TheMiami Sharks were an American professionalrugby union team based in theMiami metropolitan area that competed inMajor League Rugby (MLR). The team was founded in 2023 and began play during the2024 season. Their home stadium isAutoNation Sports Field inFort Lauderdale, Florida, on the training grounds ofMajor League Soccer clubInter Miami CF.
On February 8, 2023,Major League Rugby announced that the Miami Sharks would be joining the league in 2024.[1] Owned by Argentine businessmen Ronaldo “Kony” Strazzolini, Alejandro Macfarlane, andMercado Libre chairmanMarcos Galperin,[2] the team appointed formerToronto Arrows executive Mark Winokur as CEO, Mariano Marco as COO and formerArgentina U20 manager José Pellicena as head coach.[3][4] Pellicena has also previously served as an assistant with theArgentina national team under Mario Ledesma and formerSuper Rugby sideJaguares underRaúl Pérez.[5]
On April 26, 2023 the Sharks announced the signing of Argentine internationalscrum-halfTomás Cubelli, the first player's signing of the team.[6] The same day, the team held a launch party in Miami with a few Argentine company directors and personalities like tennis playerJuan Martín del Potro, modelClaudia Albertario and former Argentina international playerJuan Martín Hernández who's one of the franchise's ambassadors.[7]
On September 15, 2023 the Sharks announced that a partnership withInter Miami CF would allow them to play home games at theAutoNation Sports Field, their training facility inFort Lauderdale. The stadium capacity would be expanded to include up to 5,000 spectators.[8]
The Sharks' crest displays a blue and white shark with pink strokes alongside a rugby ball and the term "Miami Sharks". The team main colors areneon-styled pink and blue that paid homage to the hit 1980s TV seriesMiami Vice which has become a symbol of Miami and identified with the city.[9][10]Miami Vice relied on a pastel color pallet, reminiscent of theMiami Heat "Vice" special uniforms, that became very popular and inspired the team colours.[10]
After the team's founding, the Sharks quickly unveiled three playing kits. One of the jerseys is mainly white with hints ofelectric blue andbright pink while the others display pink-to-black and blue-to-pink gradations.[11][12]
Established byBonaerenses, the team has a strong Argentine connection and ties withLatin America. Two of the three owners played rugby union in Argentina: Macfarlane forBelgrano Athletic Club like Pellicena, and Galperin forClub San Andrés.[7] The latter stated: “We are excited to create a rugby experience in South Florida that will wake the Latin passion in the community and generate a sense of belonging.” Choices of coaching staff and executives reflect the club's Argentine identity.[2]
The original ownership pool was led by three Argentine businessmen and company directors: financial services firm Magna Capital president Ronaldo “Kony” Strazzolini, natural gas distribution companyCamuzzi Gas main shareholder Alejandro Macfarlane and e-commerce companyMercado Libre funder and CEOMarcos Galperin, the wealthiest man in Argentina with an estimated net worth of $5 billion. Alongside the three founding owners, other investors like Santiago Ocampo, Martín Migoya, Edgardo Defortuna and Gabriel Martino own shares.[13]
The Miami Sharks squad for the2025 Major League Rugby season was:[14]
Note: Flags indicate national union underWorld Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
José “Cochi” Pellicena (2023-Present)CEO
| Season | Conference | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | +/− | BP | Pts | Pld | W | L | F | A | +/− | Result | |||
| 2024 | Eastern | 5th | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 335 | 389 | -54 | 8 | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Did not qualify | |
| Totals | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 335 | 389 | -54 | 8 | 32 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 postseason appearances | |||
The Sharks have signed sponsorship deals with investment advisory company BlackToro and Argentine financial services company VALO.[16][17]
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