MISL Owners Confident Going Forward After Disbanding League

Vanderbeek Says MISL Disbanding Necessary To Ensure Health, Stability Of New League

READY TO MOVE FORWARD: In Milwaukee, Charles Gardner reports existing player contracts are "void due to the dissolution of the league, and all players are free agents eligible to sign with any team." MISL Milwaukee Wave COO Michael Lafferty: "We're starting with a clean sheet of paper. I'm excited. I wish they had done this four years ago, because we've got to get a model that works." Lafferty said that he "could envision a league with a revised cost structure and a six-team Midwest and six-team East division." Lafferty: "There are opportunities with arenas that are looking for tenants." Also, Gardner notes league owners will "consider reducing the length of the season, both in terms of months and games." The new season "might start in December rather than late October, although no final decisions have been made" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/3).

TEAMS OPTIMISTIC: Lafferty said, "All teams are operating and it's business as usual. ... All we're waiting to hear now is how the league will be reformatted" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 6/3). Kixx Dir of Public & Community Relations Tom Hushen said the team is "continuing operations as normal and fully expect to play next season in a newly structured league" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/3). Detroit Ignition D Droo Callahan yesterday said, "I think in a short matter of time the league will be back. I don't know what it will be, but it will be a league that the Detroit Ignition will play in." Callahan added that Ignition Dir of Soccer Operations Mark Pulisic Friday at a team meeting indicated that the team is "doing well financially and has a future in Detroit." Ignition Dir of Communications Michelle Green said that team is "still selling season-ticket packages and conducting business as usual" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 6/3).

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