USL’s Tim Holt Addresses Questions Concerning Sale of League

Inside Minnesota Soccer has spoken with Tim Holt, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer for USL. Holt was asked about a third party who supposedly had won the bid from Nike and was in the due diligence stage when NuRock was announced as the owner. Holt said that USL management has been aware of all the groups that made bids but denied having inside information on the individual bids. Holt did admit that Nike had consulted with USL officials in what the League was looking for in terms of a new owner.

“I can’t tell you how exactly we got here in regard to Nike’s sale of the league,” said Holt. “That’s all I can do is talk about the present and future.”

When asked about prior knowledge of the NuRock group and a possible USL relationship with the group, Holt said that you can’t read too much into the press release. “We’re familiar with all the groups that made bids for the league,” said Holt. “Some were from outside the league and others from inside the league. But we’re familiar with them all. Are we familiar with Rob Hoskins and Alec Papadakis from NuRock?  Yes, and we have respect from the NuRock people in what we’ve accomplished at USL. Have we done everything perfectly and is there room for improvement? Of course there is and I’m sure there will be some changes made.”

Holt was asked about the terms of the new deal with NuRock and the franchise that was awarded to Hoskins for a USL-1 team in Atlanta. Boris Jerkunica was the former owner of the Atlanta Silverbacks and withdrew from the league last fall after being unhappy with the current USL management. Jerkunica was also concerned about an MLS franchise moving to the Atlanta area which had been rumored at that time. Sources had told IMS that a team could withdraw from the league for a year and then return since they still owned a franchise. Holt refuted those sources.

“There’s no leave of absence clause,” stated Holt. “Each franchise must recommit annually and compete in every season.  If they do not, then they do not retain their franchise rights.” When asked about the $750,000.00 franchise fee, Holt said there are original franchise fees and annual league dues as well. “The franchise acquisition fee is not refundable.  If you withdraw from the league, we reserve the right to re-sell the territory to another group,” said Holt.

The Atlanta Silverbacks were assumed from the Atlanta Ruckus in 1998. The Ruckus had entered into the A-League in 1995.

Holt was asked if he had talked to the new owners about any specific changes that might happen in the league. He said that it was too early for that and USL had just received final word of the sale themselves. He also stated that the league will be very busy the next several months as the new owners take their place and the league works to prepare for next season.

Continue to follow Inside Minnesota Soccer and Major League Soccer Talk with Kartik Krishnaiyer for updates and behind-the-scene stories concerning the sale of the USL.