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This Weeks Issue

Shutdowns won’t slow down WISL

World Indoor Soccer League officials say their expansion plans remain on track despite two teams halting operations for this season.

WISL President Gordon Jago said the Arizona Thunder in Phoenix shut down because of an unpopular venue: Veterans Memorial Coliseum (see story, page 9). Jago said the team may play in 2002 if it can make arrangements with America West Arena.

The Houston Hotshots have a similar problem. Poor attendance at the Astroarena led to poor financial results. Jago said Houston's operator, Giorgio Borlenghi, said he would continue to operate the team only with partners who are willing to take over a majority of the responsibilities.

"We are at the moment attempting to do that," said Jago, who noted that he would like the team to continue operating when the WISL season begins Aug. 24.

The WISL features eight teams: Dallas Sidekicks, Monterrey (Mexico) LaRaza, Sacramento Knights, Utah Freezz, St. Louis Steamers and San Diego Sockers, in addition to the Arizona and Houston clubs.

Although this is the first season for the Sockers in the WISL, a team in San Diego with the same name won the championship 10 times in the now-defunct Major Indoor Soccer League.

"They have been able to bring back a lot of people involved in that," said Jago, such as Brian Quinn, who will coach the WISL Sockers and was a top player with the MISL club. "That's a very good move for us."

Jago said he believes the WISL is successful because it keeps things simple. Each of the league's teams is expected to make a profit this year, largely because they play in smaller venues in smaller cities where they can sell out games. The season runs from mid-August to mid-December.

"We want to keep our budgets in control," Jago said. "If a league fails, it's because of poor management and poor control of its finances. You've got to take things carefully. If you don't, you'll soon put things out of business."

The average attendance at a WISL game is 5,000 to 6,000 fans, who pay an average of $10 for admission. Each team plays 24 games a season.

The league is still exploring further expansion, but Jago said a new market must have an arena with weekend dates available, an operator with stable finances and a strong staff. He declined to identify potential new markets.

The single-entity league started three years ago. Its only indoor soccer competition now is the National Professional Soccer League, which has 10 teams concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast, including a club in Toronto.

Jago said the WISL and NPSL don't compete much because they play in different cities during different times of year. He said the two leagues have previously had discussions about merging, but nothing materialized. "I think one day it has to happen," he said.

NPSL Commissioner Steve Ryan said the two leagues have not had face-to-face discussions in the last year.

"Our interest is lessening," he said.

The WISL has also forged a relationship, albeit small, with Major League Soccer. Two players from the MLS Dallas Burn played temporarily for the WISL Dallas Sidekicks last season.

Said Jago, "I think there is more cooperation amongst all of the soccer leagues because we realize we need to support each other."

Jago's long-term plan is to bring indoor soccer to Europe. Jago was a head coach in the First Division in England in the 1960s.

"We are working with the Professional Footballers Association in an attempt to form a league over there indoors by 2003," Jago said. "We believe there is enough interest over there. The professional union there is always looking for opportunities for their players to be employed."

Jago said he has tentative plans to bring a WISL world all-star team to England and Ireland for some exhibition games this spring.

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