Big firms own pro-sports team③

Japanese semipro Rugy League situation

16 teams in the "Top League"

The "Top League" started about 7 or 8years ago in Japan.

16 teams belong to the league now.The season starts in Sep and end in Jan.

Each team are different,but generally speaking there are about 40 athletes in a team.

About 20 to 30% are professionals.It measn they focus only rugby.

Most of the team have 2 or 3 foreigners who are from New Zealand, Australia,South Africa,Fiji and so on.And some of them get US$30,000,000 a year.

And 70 to 80% are amateur. Most of them work in the morning at office, and do rugby in the aftenoon.They are hired as a employee. So after their retirement of rugby,they will become full time worker.

Good thing and bad thing of being amateur.

Good thing are following

You can continue to work same company

You can be pro, if you will become really good.

Bad thing are following

You can not focus 100% rugby.

Motivation to become good player is not so high.(not so hungry)

Some people say that Japan is very good place for top class rugby player.

Because you have option to keep working same company after rugby retirement.

Japan is No 11 in the world rugby ranking.

To become No8 or so, "Hungry spirits" is very important.

So I think it is better off to have 50% or more professional player in Japan`s Rugby "Top League".