Menu
Leagues and Governing Bodies

Tampa Bay, Ottawa Defect To USL, Again Raising Questions About Future Of NASL

The Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC are "coming aboard" for the '17 USL season after defecting from competing league NASL, according to Ridge Mahoney of SOCCER AMERICA. If all 29 teams that played in '16 return, USL will field 32 teams in '17, as Reno will have an expansion team. Minnesota United FC also will leave NASL next month to join MLS for '17 as an expansion team. The departures of the three clubs would "reduce NASL membership to nine teams," but the league is adding the S.F. Deltas "as an expansion franchise next season" (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 10/25). ESPN FC's Doug McIntyre noted the "long-rumored moves come during a time of turmoil for NASL." The league also has the "financially troubled" Ft. Lauderdale Strikers and Rayo OKC, whose future "remains uncertain." NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson yesterday in a statement said, "NASL operates in an environment where owners are free to take their clubs wherever they choose. All we can do is acknowledge that reality and move forward with our business." Peterson went on to say that the NASL remains committed to growth despite the defections, "with a half-dozen serious expansion discussions in progress" (ESPNFC.com, 10/25). In Cincinnati, Patrick Brennan notes NASL is currently "considered the second tier among North American leagues," but USL, North America's third-tier league, also has a pending application with U.S. Soccer for an "upgrade to second-division status." If granted, second-tier status for USL would "appear to further diminish NASL's offerings" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 10/26). 

UNLEASH THE FURY! In Ottawa, Tim Baines notes the Fury were "set to lose about" $2M this season, but are now "expected to save at least $200,000 with the move" to USL. Fury President John Pugh said, "We’ve been looking at the USL for a period of time, recognizing all the good news that’s coming out of that league. To expand from 14 teams to 29, and more next year, is something special. Also, the increase in attendance -- 33% year over year (to 1.5 million this past season) -- is phenomenal." Baines notes "trying to cut into its yearly losses was a factor for the decision for Fury FC to leave the NASL," but there was "plenty more to it." It "helps that the USL has like-minded multi-sport owners, including groups that own" the Spurs and Reds. Nashville SC also plans on "joining the league" in '18 (OTTAWA SUN, 10/26).

COMING OR GOING? FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller yesterday said that his team would "remain part" of NASL and have "no plans to jump ship." Miller: "The NASL is still a strong league. ... I’m a glass-half-full guy; if people want to jump ship, then that’s their fault." In Edmonton, Derek Van Diest notes USL "essentially serves as a reserve league" for MLS, and the "majority of MLS teams have B teams playing in the league," including the Impact, Whitecaps and Toronto FC (EDMONTON SUN, 10/26). In Austin, Kevin Lyttle cites USL league sources as saying that the Austin Aztex, who suspended play for the '16 season while they pursued a stadium solution, "remain part of the USL." However, since they still "don’t have a suitable place to play, the Aztex will likely be grounded in '17, too." Aztex Owner Rene van de Zande said that several stadium options "remain available, but only if the team finds new investors or ways to fund a facility" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. 10/26). 

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/10/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NASL-USL.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2016/10/26/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/NASL-USL.aspx

CLOSE