The upstart 16-team Pro Futsal League franchisees "include 'multiple' NBA owners and some of the world's most prestigious soccer clubs," according to sources cited by Brad Townsend of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov and the Buss family, which owns the Lakers, will be part of the "five-per-side indoor soccer" league that plans to begin play in '17. Additionally, La Liga clubs FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, along with Argentinian club Boca Juniors and Brazilian club Corinthians, are among the "world-power soccer clubs that have committed to full or partial franchise stakes" in the league. Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban last week announced he had "become a principal owner" in the venture. While futsal is "played in 198 of the 207 FIFA member associations around the world," the PFL is "being planned as the world's most preeminent" league. Top players will be part of the PFL and will receive the sport's "highest salaries." Cities identified as the host market for franchises include Boston, Chicago, Dallas, L.A., Miami, N.Y. and Seattle/Vancouver. There will be two teams in N.Y., one "owned outright by FC Barcelona; the other by Prokhorov." Each PFL team "will be either owned by or in partnership with a powerhouse soccer club outside of North America." The season will "consist of about 50 games," with the beginning and ending dates "largely determined by TV networks." Other details, such as "roster sizes and the salary cap," will be determined during meetings in Dallas this week (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/9).
