Letter from Sky Blue CEO

StarCityFan · Jan 30, 2012

Letter from Sky Blue CEO:

Players, Staff, Fans and Friends

In case you haven't heard by now, I wanted to inform you that the Board of Women's Professional Soccer has suspended the 2012 season. Despite the fact that it is with great regret that we have been forced to suspend WPS operations for 2012, it is also with a great deal of relief. It was a unanimous decision that has come after much agonizing thought and methodical contemplation by The Board of Governors. I also wanted to provide you with some information that will show you that this decision was necessary in order to insure the long-term viability of the league. In other words, unlike those who speculate to the contrary--and I am sure there are plenty--this is not the end.

I can confidently say that this decision, made by The Board of Governors of WPS, of which I am a member, was the only viable choice. If we had maintained operations status quo, the various issues with which we are currently battling would have caught up with us within the 2012 season. Consequently, we could have been forced to cease operation entirely by the end of the season.

Several factors contributed to this decision, all of which had an impact in one way or another. One is the continuing litigation with Dan Borislaw (magicJack). The other was the difficulty in acquiring sanctioning this year from USSF. Both issues had a significant financial impact and have drained a substantial amount of time and resources from our efforts in building the 2012 season. This was compounded by other operational issues which could not have been resolved prior to the season. One of the most important advances we have made over the past three years was the ability of a profit distribution from the League office to the teams. This is an essential component in building a sustainable business model. Due to the various issues mentioned above, these funds have now been redirected to other needs, primarily legal costs.

Believe me, the Board of Governors tried extensively to avoid the cessation of operation. Personally, I have faced many hurdles in my six years of involvement with our club. In the past, I would report to my partners at Sky Blue FC that despite losses, which we have incurred each year, the league and Sky Blue FC were improving. Perhaps nothing better illustrates the need to suspend operations than the fact that for the very first time, I would not be able to tell my partners that things were on the upswing for this upcoming year.

The amount of money that caring, committed people have invested (and yes, lost) in WPS is in the tens of millions of dollars. That does not even take into consideration the hours, weeks, months and years that many of us have devoted to every aspect of WPS. That is why I can assure you that we have five committed ownership groups, as well as a plan to continue working to address issues and move forward. Speaking for Sky Blue FC, my two partners and I are very much committed to providing a professional sports league to women in the US. This is important for millions of dedicated girls, now and in the future.

I feel deep regret for every single person who has shared the same emotional commitment: from the players, to the coaching and front office staff, and especially the fans. I sincerely hope that for those players who desire, they can be sustained and ready to resume their careers in 2013.

Finally, I want to emphasize the point that suspending operations is NOT ceasing operations. We will remain in operations and will work on the 2013 season.

I want to wish the very best of luck to the United States Women's National Team in the Summer Olympics. In addition to success, I hope that these Games will generate the same sponsor and fan interest for the 2013 WPS season and beyond.

Suspending the season doesn't mean less work. Rather, the opposite. We have implemented a 90-day action plan for the Board and League office that we have begun to execute. The plan includes detailed action plans related to operations, sponsorship, the player's union, television contracts and resolving our legal issues.

I deeply appreciate the interest and support of all concerned with WPS. Please, check in on our website regularly. We will keep you updated on our progress preparing the 2013 season.

My door is always open, and I invite your input.

Looking forward to the future of WPS,

On behalf of the Sky Blue FC ownership group
Thomas Hofstetter,
thofsetter@skybluesoccer.com
Member, Women's Professional Soccer Board of Governors
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lisab · Feb 8, 2012

From: Meagan <msnell@skybluesoccer.com>
To: Meagan <msnell@skybluesoccer.com>
Sent: Wed, February 1, 2012 12:57:31 PM
Subject: Sky Blue FC

Dear Season Ticket Holder,

We would like to thank you for supporting Sky Blue FC and WPS. If you haven’t heard, on January 30th Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced that its Board of Governors has decided to suspend this upcoming 2012 season to permit the League to focus on the resolution of certain pending legal issues and the challenges that now face the League as a result of its ongoing dispute with a former owner.

Here is a link to a letter from Sky Blue FC President Thomas Hofstetter:

http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/ny/news/press_releases/120130-thomas-hofstetter-letter.aspx

Despite there not being a 2012 season, Sky Blue FC along with other teams will take this time to establish plans to have a 2013 schedule. The teams throughout the league are taking this break to work on gaining more support from their local businesses and soccer communities to help ensure a fun and successful season next year. Sky Blue FC is offering their season ticket holders an option in regards to tickets already purchased for the 2012 Season.

Options:

1) Sky Blue FC will refund all monies in full back to you within 2-3 weeks of your response to this email

2) Leave current deposit on season tickets and Sky Blue FC will give you 6 extra flex tickets for the 2013 season

With whichever decision you make, Sky Blue FC is deeply appreciative of all the support you have given thus far and we hope you will continue to support us in 2013.

Thank you again.

Best,

Meagan

Meagan Snell | Sky Blue FC
Account Executive
Phone: 732-271-7797 | Cell: 732-991-9903 | Fax: 732-271-7735
80 Cottontail Lane | Suite 400 | Somerset, NJ 08873
Website: www.SkyBlueFC.com

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SkyBlueFC

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SkyBlueFC