Investors in the upstart Pro Futsal League during two days of meetings in Dallas "discussed rules, league structure, marketing initiatives and more for the 16-team league," which begins play in '17, according to Brad Townsend of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Mavericks President of Basketball Operations & GM Donnie Nelson, who is the lead investor in the league, said, "This is really uncharted territory. You are really creating the Magna Carta of a brand-new league. You find yourself sitting there looking around the room thinking, 'Wow, this is really historical-type stuff.'" A source said that S.F., Portland, Anaheim, Phoenix and Orlando will have teams; several other cities have already been identified as PFL markets. Nelson "would not confirm those cities or divulge any others, but did say every PFL market has an NFL and/or NBA team." Portugal-based Primeira Liga club Benfica has been "part of discussions to be affiliated with one of the PFL teams, as have at least two powerhouse European clubs that have yet to be made public." Soccer clubs from around the world "will be affiliated with each of the 16 PFL franchises, either through partnership or as outright owner. A source said that several of the West Coast teams "have received significant interest from investors in China and Japan, including a yet-to-be-publicly named Chinese billionaire" who will own the S.F. franchise. Nelson said that there "already are discussions about playing PFL exhibition games next summer in China and Japan; as well as Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico." He also predicted that the league will have "significant TV and digital platforms in China." Many more details "remain to be worked out" before league play begins, with the starting month "probably to be determined by TV networks" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 2/11).
