Full Contact CEO

"Just trying to do some good in the world, straight up!" Words Ruby Tui lives by. The person the world has seen in post-match interviews and press tours is the same person you get in this episode. Ruby is refreshingly down to earth, genuinely curious about others, and she always has a great story up her sleeve.

Joining us today is a man who probably holds the record for appearances on rugby shows here in the US. He’s the Founder and Editor in Chief of Gift-Time Rugby Network, he also runs his own company Gift-Time Media & Productions, and of course, he is the founder of the HBCU Rugby Classic and Musical Festival which returns this March 31 thru April 2 in Washington DC. Our Guest is Gift Egbelu

The South Stands of Hong Kong Stadium has not been full since the spring of 2019. This is what is known as an absolute travesty. Highly regarded as the grandaddy of rugby tournaments, Hong Kong hosts one of the best shows on earth. Max Woodward who is the current Captain of the HK 7s team recounts his years playing in the tournament, what it's like after Covid, and how Hong Kong's identity is changing due to the Chinese government's pressure on the multicultural city.

Shane Byrne is iconic. He gets a haircut from the same place he used to go to as a kid and he asks for one thing, "shape up that mullet." Shane represented both Ireland and the British and Irish Lions and after rugby, he's continued to work for his family business, play some golf on corporate tours, and he's even starred in a film. The man is constantly looking for the next adventure and you'll currently find him doing the Tango on Dancing With Stars Ireland.

Zack Frongillo has been a baseball fan all his life, a Red Sox Fan as a matter of fact. So when he received a video message from the Savannah Banana's owner Jesse Cole asking to join the team as the Director of Entertainment, he jumped at the opportunity to bring his talents down to Georgia. Tune in as we learn what it takes to run a Banana Ball game and take a backstage tour of that 9 inning circus.

Julie has done it all! She started a video game company, was an exec at Playboy, and now she's a Co-Founder & President of the most high-profile NWSL team in the league - Angel City FC. The investor group consists of Natalie Portman, Jennifer Garner, Serena Williams, a handful of World Cup-winning soccer stars, and many more. Julie shares how the team is dominating on and off the pitch and how equality takes center stage.

Marco Masotti is not afraid to be outspoken on Twitter. He brokers huge sports acquisition deals like the recent takeover of Chelsea FC and the complete re-imagination of the Milwaukee Bucks. But through it all, rugby has been a constant in his life. Now as an owner of the one and only Sharks, as well as as a stakeholder in Saracens, Marco is helping change the game and his influence is rubbing off in the MLR.

We're just around the corner from the start of a new MLR season and that means a new season of Full Contact CEO. The MLR Commissioner George Killebrew calls in from HQ to look ahead at what is going to be an electric 6th Major League Rugby season! George shares some encouraging updates about the league and even gives us a few hints on what's to come.

Oh and by the way! We just announced the lineup for the Inbetween Days Music Festival this August 19-20. Check it out at Inbetweendaysfestival.com

Jamo is an entrepreneur, a surfer, a former schoolboy rugby player, and most of all he's a good bloke. He's run restaurants and nightclubs for years and he's now onto two new ventures in Southern California including the much anticipated Palm Springs Surf Club. It's a man-made wave pool that's going to turn the desert into a surfing destination.

Ashley dominated the volleyball court at Dartmouth. She coached the sport at one of its highest levels at Northeastern. It wasn't long before she found herself working the Kobe Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy helping develop the nation's top young athletes. Now she finds herself an as integral part of Science of Sport. A nonprofit that brings math and science to life using sports examples for all learners. Mags learns how he can best develop the Free Jacks Academy as well spread rugby even further into the New England school and club communities.