The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit on Friday "denied" the NASL's appeal to "obtain a preliminary injunction that would have reinstated its status" as a D-II league, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.com. The ruling is the "latest blow for the NASL. But sources said that they were "not surprised at the decision." The USSF BOD in September "voted to deny" the NASL a D-II designation because it had "not met the USSF's Professional League Standards for what constitutes a second-tier league." The NASL "responded by filing an antitrust lawsuit against the USSF." It also "sought to obtain an injunction that would reinstate its status" as a D-II league while the "antitrust lawsuit made its way through the courts." But U.S. District Judge Margo Brodie "ruled in November that while there were some merits to the NASL's case, the league has "not made a clear showing of entitlement to relief.'" The NASL "appealed that ruling, but it was upheld by a three-judge panel on Friday." NASL interim Commissioner Rishi Sehgal said, "We're studying the decision with our lawyers, and we don't have further comment" (ESPN.com, 2/23).
