Three days after the U.S. women’s soccer team secured a spot in the upcoming summer Olympics, the domestic league, Women’s Professional Soccer, announced on Monday it was suspending operations for the 2012 season. The league, which includes the Atlanta Beat, hopes to return in 2013.
Citing the financial drain incurred in an ongoing lawsuit with one its teams' former owners, the board unanimously voted to shut down after playing for three seasons. Those three seasons have seen turmoil, with the league down to just five teams from its original seven.
“I’m very disheartened today that an opportunity is being taken away from those players,” league CEO Jennifer O’Sullivan said. “That's the mission and purpose of this league. It's disheartening for me personally with the Olympics coming down the road. We will do everything we can to right the ship and get back on the field in 2013.”
WPS has been involved in a lawsuit with Dan Borislow, who owned the Florida-based team magicJack, named after a telephone device he invented.
Borislow and WPS have been at odds virtually since he took over the franchise in 2010, with O’Sullivan calling him a “lightning rod” for issues. After several disagreements, the league voted to terminate his franchise last year. O’Sullivan said Borislow didn’t have regard for the league’s legal authority, or respect for other owners or sponsors, saying his attitude was detrimental to their business.
“We had basic rules in operating agreement to make this league a success,” Beat owner T. Fitz Johnson said. “MagicJack was not complying with the [operating agreement]. It just went downhill from there.”
Borislow sued, seeking arbitration. He won the first round after a judge ruled the league didn’t follow its own procedures for dissolving a franchise. Another hearing is set for Wednesday. O’Sullivan said the rest of the owners couldn’t see working with Borislow again. O'Sullivan declined to say how much the league has spent on the lawsuit.
The league is working with the players union on their contracts, with the goal of letting the players sign with other leagues. Franchises are working with the stadium on their leases. Kennesaw State athletic director Vaughn Williams said he doesn’t think there will be any issues with the Beat’s lease at the KSU Soccer Stadium, the team's home.
O’Sullivan envisioned leading the league into new popularity based upon the success of the U.S. women’s team at last year’s World Cup and the potential results in the Summer Games in London this summer. Instead, because of the lawsuit, she said the past four months have been a distraction.
However, she seemed confident the league’s five teams-- the Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC [New Jersey] and Western New York Flash – will return stronger than before.
“A lot of people have put a lot of effort and energy into making this thing a success,” she said. “Growing this game isn't something that happens overnight. There’s not a quick fix, and it is a long road. Even a WPS playing in 2012 or 2013 will continue to face those challenges.
“As long as we have the support of fans, players and owners, we have a legitimate shot at being here for the long haul. The hope is we come out of this stronger than we did today.”
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