Lack Of Capital Forces WPS Red Stars To Suspend Operations For '11

Chicago Red Stars officials yesterday said that “operations are suspended for the 2011 Women's Professional Soccer season because of lack of capital,” according to the AP. The Red Stars have until tomorrow “to secure investments toward the league's reserve funding requirement for participation” next season. Red Stars investor Arnim Whisler said that “some investors were ‘scared away’ by the loss of a Bay Area team and those investors couldn't be recovered.” Team officials said that “tickets for next season will be fully reimbursed.” The Red Stars started play during the '09 season (AP, 12/13). In DC, Steve Goff notes the Red Stars are the “fourth founding team in 11 months to shut down.” WPS “pledges to press on with six clubs -- Atlanta, Philadelphia and Western New York have joined in the past year.” Washington Freedom Owner Dan Borislow indicated that “he might split home games between D.C. and South Florida and change the name into a tacky commercial label” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/14).