Soccer Spotlight: MISL Management Committee Takes Decisive Action Thursday, December 30, 2004 By David Deal Philadelphia KiXX Director of Communitions The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced today, following a series of MISL Management Committee conference calls on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 28-29, that the MISL Commissioner, Steve Ryan, is directed to take decisive action to reinforce the League’s commitment to strong operating teams which are in compliance with League guidelines and procedures. By a supermajority vote, the Management Committee has reluctantly accepted the decision of Mr. Raj Kalra, Managing Member of Sportswork Management, LLC, the operator of the MISL San Diego Sockers, to suspend operations of the San Diego Sockers team, and has further instructed the Commissioner to discontinue operations in Monterrey, Mexico for the remainder of this season, effective immediately. “The Management Committee took a long and hard look at all the options relating to the San Diego Sockers and the MISL Monterrey team,” said Commissioner Ryan. “It is the firm belief of the Management Committee that the strength of the League is derived from its teams which adhere to the obligations and responsibilities of an MISL member club. The core of this League is healthy and vibrant and the MISL will continue to grow again next season with the addition of the California Cougars who will play in a new, state-of-the-art arena in Stockton, and perhaps other cities that have applied and are currently under review for MISL membership.” The MISL Management Committee was recently advised by Mr. Kalra of the commitment of Sportsworks Management to satisfy in full and as quickly as possible all outstanding obligations on or before January 30, 2005. The League trusts that Mr. Kalra will honor this commitment. However, the League also reserves all rights and remedies available. The MISL Management Committee had previously terminated the Management Agreement with Americas Entertainment Management S.A. de C.V., the operator of the MISL Monterrey Fury team, on October 22, 2004, based on noncompliance with various obligations of an MISL member club. The Management Committee opted to reconsider several requests for reinstatement made by Americas Entertainment Management. In response to these requests for reinstatement, the MISL presented Americas Entertainment Management with a proposal, which required their timely acceptance and commitment to comply with basic terms and conditions of the other MISL Member Clubs as a pre-requisite for reinstatement in the MISL. Despite numerous attempts to ascertain a reply, Americas Entertainment failed to provide a response to the Management Committee’s proposal. As a result of non-response, the Management Committee has withdrawn the proposed offer to reinstate Americas Entertainment and instructed the Commissioner to discontinue operations in Monterrey. The remaining home matches of the San Diego Sockers and the MISL Monterrey schedules for the 2004-05 season have been cancelled. All other teams’ home matches will be played as scheduled, with some minor adjustments. Early next week, the League is planning to release a revised composite League schedule. As per MISL Policy, the League will hold a Dispersal Draft on Wednesday, January 5, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. (EST) via teleconference for players of the San Diego Sockers and the MISL Monterrey team. Results of the Dispersal Draft will be released on Thursday, January 6 to allow for teams to contact players they have selected. Any further comment or any inquiries regarding this situation should be directed to the League Office. The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization featuring a coast-to-coast presence with seven teams located across the United States. On February 27, the League announced an expansion team in Stockton, CA, that will begin play in 2005-06. On May 4, the League announced plans for an expansion team in Newark, NJ, that will begin play in 2007-08. The Dallas Sidekicks, currently reorganizing under new leadership, plan to return for the 2005-06 season. The MISL is the single major league of indoor soccer. For more information on the MISL, visit the League’s website at www.MISL.net.