USL’s Letter from Tim Holt to Players from TOA Franchises
Inside Minnesota Soccer has finally received a copy of the letter that United Soccer League president Tim Holt emailed last Friday to all players under contract with USL-1 teams from the Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC Blues and Minnesota Thunder.
As is now widely reported, those three teams constitute the heart of the Team Owners Association and none of those USL-1 teams have yet to renew their franchise agreement for the 2010 season. Representatives from the TOA and USL are meeting this week with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) as was reported here earlier today.
According to the letter, Holt claims that the players from those three teams are no longer under contract with the USL and that they have also “advised” the USSF. What’s curious is he also claims that the USSF have also released all players from their USL contracts and USSF registrations.
Please see the letter below-
Please note: (Team Name Here) replaces all sections that actually had the USL-1 teams name in the original document.
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Subject: Release from USL Standard Contract for Professional Players
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 16:01:48 -0400
ATTENTION ALL (Team Name Here) PLAYERS
RE: Release from USL Standard Contract for Professional Players
Please allow this letter to serve as official notification that the (Team Name) (“Club”) has formally discontinued their franchise participation in the USL First Division effective at the conclusion of their 2009 season. As a result of this decision, the (Team Name) no longer own and operate a professional soccer team in USL.
Section 5 of the USL Standard Contract for Professional Players requires that the Club “shall operate a professional soccer team in USL” and further states that “Should Club fail to operate a professional soccer team within USL, this contract shall be terminated.”
Consequently, all Players under Contract with the (Team Name) have been released by USL. The U.S. Soccer Federation has been advised of the same and has also released all Players from their USL Contracts and USSF Registrations.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact Chris Economides (USL-1 Senior Director) or me.
We genuinely appreciate your involvement in the USL First Division during the 2009 season and look forward to your continued participation in the league for 2010 and beyond.
Regards,
Tim Holt
President
United Soccer League
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Comments are closed.
Just becasue of this letter all owners (at least breave ones) should back the TOA to see what Holt and NuSoccer will do without there flagship league.
Interesting. The letter states the teams have “formally discontinued their franchise participation in the USL First Division” – from the published reports, at least the ones I’ve seen, the teams simply didn’t renew. Maybe I’ve missed something, and I’m sure the actual lawyers will play with this one, but I imagine there’s an argument to be made there that failure to renew is not the same as formal discontinuation of participation.
I just want to thank you for all the information you have been providing us about the TOA/USL situation. It’s most appreciated.
Steve
Looks like the lawyers will have a field day with this.
It seems like USL is overstepping their authority on this one, although it’s hard to say that for sure without seeing the “USL Standard Contract for Players” or the USSF Player Registration Rules & Regs first.
Thanks Steve. Its good hearing from you.
Coconut Monkey, (love that name) Here is something to follow. They are going to be speaking with lawyers to get their opinion on it.
http://www.indyweekblogs.com/sports/2009/10/06/usl-roundup-holt-letter-published-ussf-brokers-nyc-meet-and-greet-hammerheads-no-longer-in-usl-2/
So I hear USSF, USL and TOA are meeting in NY? If Inside MN Soccer agrees to pick up the tab, I would be glad to go to NY and file reports about these important meetings. I promise to prepare some great news articles–just as long as I can also go watch the Twins vs. Yankees!
Ooo, good stuff Brian!
Man, this is a strange situation. To be honest, I’m not quite sure I totally understand USL’s corporate structure. Hopefully, the teams in the TOA read their contracts thoroughly.
If these players are in fact contracted to the league, not their club, and have become free agents, what’s to keep them from signing somewhere else? This could be a perfect opportunity for the bigger MLS clubs to have a little buy-a-thon.
Oh well, IN OTHER NEWS! Sagantosu is in the hunt for promotion into J2 this year! Only 6pts out of the 3rd position! W00t!
Aaron, I think you have the scenario backwards….
It is a strange situation indeed. We could be seeing the beginning of something really big in the US in some new form of soccer league or the way a league is run allowing owners more power. Than again, this could just be a big power struggle that in the end both sides kiss, make up and move on with life. Whatever ends up happening, its sure causing a lot of drama at the moment.
What’s also interesting about this is big media has still not picked up on the story, leaving it to bloggers, amateur soccer writers and a smaller professional online sites like the Indy Weeks web site, to report the story. Parties involved in this dispute have been very open to talking to those of us who are actually interested enough to cover the story. The primaries in general, perhaps Tim Holt aside, aren’t jaded enough yet with media to be guarded. And to be honest, I think those who have been reporting on this issue have been pretty doggone accurate in their reporting and I’ve not really seen anything slanderous or poorly reported.
SagantoWho?
A new league formed by the TOA will only have the same problems and will ultimately fail. These owners must have forgotten that the USL rescued the ALeague (APSL) by absorbing them in 1997. A league with only a handful of teams is going to struggle. The USL has the ability and history to revamp things on a regional level which can cut down on some of the costs for a pro franchise. As well the USL was right in sending out the email to the players since they are under contract to the league. These are franchises which chose not to renew their membership so technically the players are now free agents. If I was a player I would not sit around waiting for these individuals teams to come through as I would be looking out for number one. You have to keep in mind that this is division two soccer (minor league) and that generates little interest in the national media here in this country. It is hard enough for MLS to get media attention. Hopefully everyone will come to their senses and we will have USL1 soccer in 2010.
Sagantosu man! Only the coolest Division2 team in Kyushu!
I hear ya Chris. I’m not sure how a 3rd league would survive completely on it’s own. Kartik mentioned a possible outcome where the TOA and USL would form a Premiership style agreement. Where the top clubs would have more power and control over TV rights and marketing, but they would still have a formal relationship with USL.
One of the best aspects of USL is the fact that it operates a proper football pyramid. And I think you really do need that if you truly want teams and players to develop over the long term. How would a 3rd league/corporate entity operate in that respect?
Brian, you are doing a great job! Keep up the great work.