France captain Antoine Dupont, widely regarded as the best rugby player of his generation, has taken an ownership stake in Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA), the Major League Rugby franchise announced on Thursday. The 28-year-old scrumhalf joins RFCLA's ownership group alongside his company, Ouest Coast, marking a significant milestone for rugby in the United States.

This strategic move comes ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the men's and women's Rugby World Cups in 2031 and 2033 respectively. Dupont, who has been named World Rugby Player of the Year and captained both club and country to major titles in 15-a-side and sevens competitions, expressed his enthusiasm for helping to grow rugby's profile in the U.S.

"Rugby is more than just a sport; it's a community with strong values," Dupont said in a statement. "I'm excited by the opportunity to grow rugby's popularity in the States and establish an energetic hub of rugby culture that attracts players, fans, teams, and partners from around the world."

For RFCLA, currently in its second season in Major League Rugby (MLR), Dupont's involvement is seen as a catalyst for its ambitions in high-performance rugby and commercial development. MLR, founded in 2017, is the first professional rugby competition in North America and has been rapidly growing.

"We feel very privileged that Antoine has chosen RFCLA as the pathway to inspire new rugby players and fans," said RFCLA CEO Pete Sickle. "His vision for integrating the athleticism and core values of rugby will prove invaluable to building a bright future for the sport in LA and across the U.S."

This investment not only strengthens RFCLA's position in the league but also enhances the visibility of rugby in the U.S., setting the stage for a vibrant rugby culture leading up to the upcoming international tournaments.