No runway, no $500 million
Photo credit: Mediacom Communications Corp.
As originally reported by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, New York Cosmos owner and de facto NASL leader Rocco Commisso had extended his “let’s talk about this” deadline to the USSF until May 31.
On May 30, a letter from USSF secretary Dan Flynn was emailed to Commisso. U.S. Soccer provided Soc Takes with a copy of the letter.
The USSF made its position clear:
- They would not “deviate from the annual sanctioning process.”
What that essentially means is that the federation would not be dissolving the Pro League Standards (PLS) and the NASL would not be provided with the 10-year runway they desired. The NASL asked for said runway to be able to populate its clubs and set them up for success without interference from the USSF.
The letter also addressed other concerns about the $500 million investment:
- “We also do not see this process negatively affecting the proposed capital infusion, at least as it has been publicly described.” The USSF suggested that knowledge of the PLS would allow NASL owners to invest the capital into the league as they deem fit. (Note: This does not address the obvious counterpoint that Rocco only wished to invest the money if the aforementioned requirements were met.)
- Multiple team ownership – The USSF states: “Although the board did not specifically address this aspect of the PLS, if multiple team ownership is intended to be part of the NASL’s plans, at least in the near term, please provide, as part of the application for divisional sanctioning a detailed description of the provisions the NASL is prepared to adopt and implement to protect the integrity of NASL’s competitions.”
- In essence, the USSF wants more info to vote on whether the NASL will be granted a waiver allowing the league to have multiple owners.
- Pro-rel – The USSF cites the CAS filing and also asks for more specifics regarding the plan, vis-a-vis, would the system include MLS/USL or whether the pro-rel system would involve NASL and other unidentified partners.
- Conflicts of interest – The USSF states that the board and all of its directors are careful to avoid conflicts of interest. The letter also later points out that all directors are in compliance of Bylaw 413, Section 2 and that the members of the Athlete Council are in compliance of the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.
- Equal representation for all professional leagues – The USSF points out that the board cannot amend this without the introduction and vote of a new bylaw. It encourages the NASL to propose a bylaw proposing restructuring of the board.
- Poaching of clubs by MLS/USL – The USSF argues it cannot intervene in this matter and that the issue is best left to individual professional leagues.
- Bidding process for licensing rights of the USMNT/USWNT – The USSF states the agreement with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) does not expire until 2022.
This morning, Soc Takes spoke to NASL interim commissioner Rishi Sehgal about the communication from the USSF. He said that due to that communication, the $500 million offer has now expired. This was confirmed by a letter released this morning by Commisso. This means the NASL’s future now hinges upon the two lawsuits they have filed against the USSF. In absence of success in those lawsuits — or a potential settlement similar to last November — the NASL’s future remains bleak.
“The whole thing is ridiculously disappointing,” Sehgal said. “What is the harm in allowing us to play? We didn’t ask for money, we just asked for a change of standards that have fostered no stability.”
Sehgal added that U.S. Soccer had communicated that the league would be able to apply for sanctioning under current USSF PLS standards in the future. That application would be reviewed by the Pro League Task Force currently chaired by Chris Ahrens, Lisa Carnoy and Dan Flynn.
As things stand, the NASL is not interested in availing that opportunity, as they believe the review process is not fair and as Sehgal puts it, “… full of conflicts of interest.”
(Update: An earlier version of this article, incorrectly identified Bylaw 413, Section 2)
Follow Nipun on Twitter: @NipunChopra7.
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