FloSports has acquired The Rugby Channel, and will be showing all of the events that The Rugby Channel was showing, as well as FloRugby's current lineup of events.

The news comes on the heels of plenty of rumors, and financial struggled within Rugby International Marketing (USA Rugby's for-profit arm), which led to several changes at the top of RIM and the USA Rugby Board.

Here is the full announcement.

What this does is bring USA Rugby properties such as the Eagles (men and women) and national championships under the same roof as a variety of independent and international events. But that's not the whole story. Part of what needs to be said is that FloSports has taken what is a good concept, and removed the burden of risk from USA Rugby. While a subscription to FloRugby costs more than a subscription to The Rugby Channel, there are several reasons for that:

a) It's the right business decision

b) A FloRugby subscription rate is in line with other similar sports channels

c) Subscribers get more with this subscription - Eagles, national championships, major overseas professional leagues, other internationals, HS Championships, major domestic tournaments, major domestic club and college play.

d) Subscribers get access to all of the other FloSport verticals (which is what they call the other sports they cover). For some rugby fans, this isn't a big deal, but for others this is a very nice add-on. Someone in your household may be big on MMA, Marching Band, Cycling, Track, or Wrestling (to name a few). That comes with the subscription. The Rugby Channel could not provide that.

e) FloSports takes on the risk, which makes sense because FloSports does live coverage of events all over the sports spectrum and all over the world. FloSports just invested in doing that with rugby. FloSports has a large team of people who support what the company does. The scale of the operation means it's better equipped to make rugby available for rugby fans.

f) This writer works for FloRugby. I am responsible for the day-to-day content that goes up on the site. I also keep Goff Rugby Report active for other content that needs to get out there. So, yes, I am personally invested. But all of the above is very true. If you were worried that RIM wasn't working, and USA Rugby might have to divert resources to bolster it. You don't have to worry about that now.