[USL] The fallout from the decision of Nike to sell its majority interest in United Soccer Leagues to an Atlanta group, NuRock Soccer, continued as a group of USL-1 owners said they would “pursue all avenues” to gain control of the league. Meanwhile, USL announced that NuRock chairman Rob Hoskins and chief executive officer Alec Papadakis will take on similar positions in USL and Tim Holt, the USL vice president and chief operating officer, will remain with the league as president.
In a statement, the USL-1 Team Owners Association said corporate ownership “has stunted the growth and recognition of both the league and its teams.”
“It’s about the professionalizing of USL-1,” said Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi told the Vancouver Province. “There’s been discussion for a year-and-a-half now with regards to the team owners having more of a stake – and say – in how the league is run.”
Holt told the Province the group made “several incorrect statements” without elaborating.
The group represents USL-1 owners of five current teams (Carolina, Miami, Minnesota, Montreal and Vancouver), one former club (Atlanta Silverbacks) and one 2010 expansion team (Tampa). (Vancouver and Portland will leave USL-1 in 2011 to join MLS.)
The USL First Division, which consists of 11 teams, is only part of the USL structure, which consists of more than 120 clubs at six levels in the United States, Canada, Bermuda and Puerto Rico.
Umbro bought out manufacturer Varsity Spirit’s minority interest in 2006, leaving it with 94 percent of USL and founder Francisco Marcos with six percent. In 2007, Nike purchased Umbro.
In the new management structure, Marcos, who founded the league in 1986, will be president emeritus and senior director of international development.
Marcos has worked in recent years to expand USL teams’ relations with foreign clubs.