MLS is "expected to expand" to N.Y. or Long Island as early as the 2002 season, according to Michael Lewis of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Sources said that MetroStars Investors/Operators John Kluge and Stuart Subotnick have "exercised their option of owning an MLS team in the city or at a to-be-built facility on Long Island." Lewis: "Early speculation has the expansion team playing in Queens, possibly at Shea Stadium, sources said." An announcement could be made "as early as today" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/15). A THREAT TO LEAGUE LONGEVITY? In Ft. Worth, Blane Bachelor writes on MLS' legal dispute with its players, which will be the subject of a jury trial starting in September in Boston and "might signal the beginning of the end for MLS." The class action suit brought by the players contends that MLS' single-entity structure violates U.S. antitrust laws. Fire President Bob Sanderman: "The outcome will determine whether MLS continues to move forward or withers. I can't see how it would be possible to continue on if players win the lawsuit. It's that simple, and I've told our teams that" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 3/15). FERRY GOOD MOVE: U.S. Soccer has retained Korn/Ferry Int'l Sports Division to lead the search for USSF's next Secretary General to replace Hank Steinbrecher (USSF). MINOR MERGER? In Edmonton, Gerry Prince reports that NPSL and WISL reps gathered in Chicago yesterday, and "both sides are kicking around the possibility of a merger." But the "biggest impediment" to any merger could be the NPSL's "standing" with the USSF, as the NPSL "remains in the federation's doghouse." WISL Dallas Sidekicks GM Jim Tolbert: "We're in complete good standing and are sanctioned by (the USSF). ... I think the NPSL owes them $80,000 or something like that" (EDMONTON SUN, 3/15).
