In a significant development for women’s sports, former Proctor & Gamble executive Deb Henretta has stepped forward as a key investor in Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), a promising new league set to kick off in the United States next year. Henretta, a fixture on Fortune’s list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business, brings not only financial backing but also decades of business acumen to help guide WER’s growth.
The announcement comes at a time when women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented success and visibility. As Henretta notes, “This is the time for women’s sports. Women’s sports are finally starting to take off in a big way. I mean, look at the WNBA. Look at what Caitlin Clark has been able to do for Indiana Fever.”
The WER Vision: Building a Sustainable Women’s Rugby League
WER, announced last spring, aims to establish a semi-professional women’s 15-a-side rugby league, with inaugural teams based in Boston, New York, Chicago, the Twin Cities, Denver, and the Bay Area. The league’s structure is designed to foster collaboration and sustainability, as Henretta explains:
What made WER different is it’s a single-entity structure where you’re going to establish something, you’re going to work together with USA Rugby, you’re going to work together with global rugby as a unit dedicated to building the sport.
– Deb Henretta
This collaborative approach contrasts with the fractured landscape of men’s rugby in the US, where competing interests have hindered the sport’s development. By aligning stakeholders and resources, WER seeks to establish a strong foundation for women’s rugby to flourish.
Investing in the Future: The Legacy Cup and Beyond
In September, WER hosted the Legacy Cup, a preview event featuring WPL teams, with the Colorado Gray Wolves emerging victorious over the Berkeley All Blues in a thrilling final. The tournament offered a glimpse of the high-level competition and excitement fans can expect from the league.
As WER continues to secure funding and prepare for its inaugural season, Henretta acknowledges that establishing the league will be a long-term endeavor:
This thing will take some years to develop. I don’t think anybody who’s going to come into this, from a management, a board, an investor position, is going to be able to look for a quick two- or three- or maybe even five-year exit from the investment. So I think it’s a bit of a longer-term build.
– Deb Henretta
Riding the Wave: Women’s Rugby’s Olympic and World Cup Momentum
WER’s launch comes on the heels of significant milestones for US women’s rugby. The national sevens team’s bronze medal performance at the Paris Olympics propelled star player Ilona Maher into the spotlight, landing her in the pages of Sports Illustrated, on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, and potentially as the next Bachelorette.
With the 15-a-side World Cup set for England next year and future editions planned for Australia in 2029 and the US in 2033, the stage is set for women’s rugby to captivate audiences and inspire a new generation of players and fans.
In the run up to the 2028 Olympics in LA, and also prior to the 2033 World Cup, it’s an exciting time. If rugby is going to make an impact and get something going, I think it’s going to be in this window. If we’re not successful, shame on us.
– Deb Henretta
A Passion Play: Henretta’s Rugby Journey
For Henretta, investing in WER is not just a business decision, but a deeply personal one. Her love for rugby blossomed through her children, who played the sport in Singapore. She saw firsthand the values and sense of community rugby instilled in them:
I love the development and the sense of community it gave them. I think they have incredibly strong values, good work ethic, a good sense of community, a good sense of helping others… I think it was driven by the rugby culture.
– Deb Henretta
Now, as a “passionate rugby person with the financial ability to make some investments in the sport,” Henretta is determined to help women’s rugby thrive in the US. Her support for WER is not just an investment, but a vote of confidence in the league’s potential to elevate the game and inspire athletes and fans alike.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As WER navigates the challenges of launching a new sports league, Henretta’s experience and guidance will be invaluable. The league must not only secure funding and establish itself in the short term but also position itself for long-term success leading up to the 2033 World Cup on US soil.
Yet, with the momentum of women’s sports, the passion of players and supporters, and the strategic vision of leaders like Henretta, WER has the potential to become a game-changer for women’s rugby in the United States and beyond. As the league prepares to take the pitch, all eyes will be on this exciting new chapter in the story of American rugby.
