Carolina RailHawks to join new league; plan is to begin in April 2010
UPDATE 6:39 p.m.: The intrigue thickens with this statement from the USL. Key points: The USL opposes the new league application “on the grounds that there is misrepresentation, interference with USL business operations and substantial debt amongst the membership of the parties applying for certification.” Furthermore, in what seems to be a tart point directed at the owners of Vancouver and Montreal, the statement notes that the USL’s structure “has allowed USL to support and maintain the operation of member clubs such as Montreal and Vancouver during times when the then ownership of the clubs were unable to continue operating….”
UPDATE 3:22 p.m.: In a more-or-less simultaneous announcement, Montreal owner (and TOA member) Joey Saputo says the Impact are still in negotiations with the USL, and suggests that his club went along with the application for a new league to help the rest of the TOA make a deadline.
Here we go. The dissident Team Owners Association announced this morning that they have applied for an as-yet unnamed new second-division soccer league that would begin play in April 2010.
Things are busy here at the Independent, so we’ll just make a couple of quick observations and then leave you with the press release.
- First, the Tampa Bay Rowdies seem to be gone from the TOA. Last week, the USL indicated in a vaguely worded announcement about its composition for the 2010 season that the Rowdies would remain in place for next season.
- Second, there’s no mention here of reports out of Minnesota that the Thunder are in serious financial disarray and have, in fact, released their players from their contracts.
- Third, there are only seven teams listed, including Minnesota. Given that eight teams seems to be the minimum for official sanctioning, we’re wondering if more clubs are poised to enter.
The press release follows.
OWNERS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAMS IN ATLANTA, CAROLINA, MIAMI, MINNESOTA, MONTREAL, ST. LOUIS AND VANCOUVER FORM NEW PRO SOCCER LEAGUE TO BEGIN PLAY IN 2010
Nov. 10, 2009 - The owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina Railhawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps, formerly of USL-1, together with St. Louis Soccer United today announced that they have formed a new professional soccer league to play in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010.
The team owners yesterday submitted an application for sanctioning of the new league as a Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation. An application for sanctioning as a Division I League will be submitted to the Canadian Soccer Association shortly and applications to other sanctioning bodies in the region will be submitted as needed.
Joey Saputo, President of the 2009 USL-1 champion Montreal Impact, was recently elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the new league.
“This is not your typical new league,” Saputo said. “Most of our teams have existed for years. We have united some of the best owners, teams and markets around a new vision for a professional soccer league in North America.
“We look forward to elevating our teams and league in order to give more opportunities to players, coaches, media and sponsors, entertain our fans and play our role in helping soccer truly recognize its potential in the United States and Canada.” Continue reading »
