Can Rugby Conquer the U.S.? San Francisco Giants' SVP Surely Thinks So.
*By Amanda Weston*
Rugby is the globe's [second most popular sport](https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/10/america-rugbys-last-frontier/408982/). And after the San Francisco Giants hosted the World Cup Sevens in their stadium last weekend, rugby might [take hold](https://www.cnn.com/2017/03/16/sport/rise-of-american-rugby-ebner-serevi-wooching/index.html) in the U.S.
At the very least, the sport has a new advocate in Stephen Revetria, senior vice president of the Giants.
"To have this opportunity to bid on it, to get it here in our ballpark, it's pretty special," he told Cheddar on Tuesday.
Revetria didn't take the operation lightly. He says the research took several yearsーand required serious travel.
"Over the last three years we traveled the world, learned more about rugby, and were able to get the pitch, get the entertainment right, and really build the excitement and enthusiasm through everything we've been working on for the last few years.
The work, it seems, has paid off: The tournament at the Giant's AT&T park marked the largest rugby event in U.S. history. World Rugby Chief executive Brett Gosper told the Independent on Wednesday he wants the sport to [fully enter](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/rugby-world-cup-united-states-us-bid-2027-2031-brett-gosper-chief-executive-a8462301.html) the American market.
Gosper said he welcomes a "magnificent" bid from the U.S. as the process to award the 2027 World Cup looms.
World Rugby [ranks](https://www.worldrugby.org/rankings/mru?lang=en) the U.S. men's team 15th, out of 105 countries. The women's team ranks fifth out of 53.
As for the future of the AT&T park, Revetria said a new village with shops and restaurants is on the horizon.
"It's been a great collaboration with the city, World Rugby, and the Giants."
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rugby-world-cup-sevens-finds-home-in-san-francisco)
Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team finally has a new moniker, the Guardians. Formerly known as the Indians, the organization made a change to the team name after years of public scrutiny and claims of appropriation of Native American culture. Cheddar’s Hena Doba and Baker Machado provide some additional details into the name change.
Here are your Need2Know stories for Tuesday June 7, 2022:
Today, voters head to the polls for primary elections in California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota.
Senator Joe Manchin said he would support raising age requirements for gun purchases to 21. Manchin told CNN he also "wouldn't have a problem looking at" a ban on AR-15 assault rifles.
Meanwhile, five players on the Tampa Bay Rays roster opted not to wear a patch added to its uniforms intended to celebrate pride month.
Shaheen Holloway, fresh off leading Saint Peter's on an improbable Elite Eight run, says on Closing Bell that he is looking to take his alma mater Seton Hall to new heights this coming season as head coach. Holloway also provides his insight on the NIL era in college athletics - while he's happy for the players, he also considers the current system 'scary' because more rules and regulations need to be in place.
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is partnering with eye-drop brand Pataday to help those struggling with allergies — such as himself. The Super Bowl LVI MVPjoined Cheddar News to discuss his own struggle with seasonal allergies. “It's right when football's starting back up, I feel like I get so excited to finally be back playing the game, and then, you know, spring comes around and completely knocks me out," he said.
Jill Gregory, EVP & General Manager of Sonoma Raceway, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where she discusses how next weekend's NASCAR slate will be ramped up, with fans attending at full capacity, and how the venue's road course will give both drivers and fans a unique experience.
