San Francisco City FC NPSL application

Discussion in 'NPSL' started by msilverstein47, Aug 25, 2014.

  1. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    San Francisco City F.C. 2015
    The S.F. City F.C. 2015 NPSL bid is sponsored by the San Francisco City Football Club (S.F. City
    FC) and endorsed by the San Francisco Football Supporters Association. S.F. City FC was founded in
    2001 as a member in the San Francisco Soccer Football League (“SFSFL”), the oldest amateur league
    in the United States. Currently, S.F. City F.C. competes in the Premier division of the SFSFL, the
    highest level of local amateur competition in San Francisco. The Club made its Lamar Hunt U.S. Open
    Cup Qualifying Tournament debut in 2013.
    The San Francisco Football Supporters Association (“SFFSA”) was formed in 2013 to promote organic
    and sustainable growth of football in San Francisco and support San Francisco based clubs seeking
    to produce top-level soccer on behalf of the City and Community of San Francisco.
    This project came together as a result of several months of conversations and planning on how to
    develop a sustainably capitalized, democratically governed football club that can represent San
    Francisco’s unique diversity, history, and commitment to excellence. We are excited and hopeful
    that this project will set the club on its path to becoming a lasting club that can succeed and
    progress within U.S. Soccer.
    Supporter Ownership and Capitalization
    The S.F. City F.C. development plan calls for significant supporter investment and engagement
    through the deployment of a supporter-ownership model.
    The Club and Supporters Association will launch a fundraising campaign in fall 2015 to engage
    supporters and raise significant funding through a crowdsource funding platform
    (Kickstarter, Indiegogo, etc…). This fundraising will combine with initial private investment to
    capitalize the club sustainably while avoiding significant debt or reliance on one major equity
    source.
    Supporter membership and democratic organization of club leadership are core values to building a
    robust, longstanding club that will provide San Francisco with a superior footballing product and
    an important community asset.
    To ensure maximum financial flexibility while maintaining a democratized governance structure, S.F.
    City F.C. will be developed using the following hybrid ownership structure:
    Supporter Ownership Entity (Formed as Non- Profit)
    Individuals/minority Ownership Entity
    (At least 51% Ownership ) (Remainder of Initial Ownership)
    Capitalized operating entity for team assets and property

    As depicted above, supporters will be able to contribute a fixed amount (annually renewed) to
    become members of the Supporter Owned Entity (S.O.E.). The SOE will have at least a 51% ownership
    stake in the operating entity of the club that will own club assets (player contracts, intellectual
    property etc…) and administer day-to-day business of the club.
    Under this structure, payment of supporter dues will entitle supporters to elect club leadership
    and have priority for various club activities/merchandise and game tickets. Supporter dues will not
    entitle each member to a direct ownership stake in the club. In this respect, club membership is
    similar to Public Radio or SF Jazz membership as opposed to owning shares of publicly traded
    companies. This will ensure that new members will be allowed to pay dues and join the club without
    diluting shares of existing owners or members.
    In addition to raising capital through memberships, the SOE will solicit large-scale donations from
    local businesses and supporters of athletics and the arts.
    Technical Direction
    The club will continue to hone and practice its philosophy of playing progressive and attractive
    football as an entrant into the NPSL. We anticipate drawing from our existing player pool and
    recruiting from the abundance of talented players in the San Francisco Bay Area looking to
    contribute to a top-level amateur soccer team with significant fan support.
    We are currently in discussions with coaching targets and plan to make a coaching announcement in
    Summer/Fall 2014.
    We have also formed a youth program (SF City Juniors) and, while it is currently operating at a
    very small scale, we feel confident that our youth program will become an important part of the
    development of the Club.
    Community Engagement
    An essential component of the SF City F.C. development plan is active engagement with community
    stakeholders and philanthropic organizations. To ensure a breadth and depth of community support
    the club is in the process of forming an advisory board consisting of community leaders and
    stakeholders to help guide the development of S.F. City FC into a top flight football club and
    asset to the San Francisco Community.
    Along with the SFFSA, the SF City SOE will plan and implement various philanthropic activities and
    support charitable organizations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Last year, the SFFSA led
    charitable efforts to support the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks and United Blood Centers of
    the Pacific. This year, the Association will continue support of the San Francisco and Marin Food
    Banks and United Blood Centers and expand outreach to The Raphael House, a homeless and low-income
    family support organization dedicated to achieving long-term stability to families that have been
    affected by poverty and homelessness.
    Initial Advisory Board Members (Recruiting Ongoing): Maria Lashinger
    General Manager, Bay Area Breeze Women’s Soccer
    Steven Kenyon
    Director of Marketing, University of San Francisco Athletics
    Peter Lowry, Assistant Coach St Mary’s University/Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire MLS Midfielder
    Deejae Johnson, Head Coach University High School boys and girls soccer/Founder Soccer Insight
    Soccer Camps
    Gary Kleiban, Founder 3Four3 Coaching and Analytics
    Brian Kleiban, Staff Coach Chivas USA Development Academy Paul Gayoso, Kickit365 Soccer Leagues
    Christine Gayoso, Kickit365 Soccer Leagues
    Rob Cann, Founder Street Soccer USA/IPLAYFORSF Ramon Estevez, Principal Upper V Management Group
    Facilities
    All S.F. City F.C. home games and practices will be held in the City. We have met with San
    Francisco Recreation and Parks department staff and determined that Boxer Stadium will meet league
    requirement and be available to host home games. We will finalize an agreement with SF Rec and
    Parks upon approval of the SF City NPSL application.
    Practices will be held throughout San Francisco with the cooperation of SF Recreation and Parks.
    Marketing, Sales and Sponsorships
    SF City F.C. will market aggressively to San Francisco’s active base of soccer interested young
    professionals and families. Currently, San Francisco has at least 8 popular adult soccer leagues
    ranging from recreational level to high level former professional and college athletes. The SFSFL
    alone features 40 men’s teams and registers over 600 players each season. The Golden Gate Women’s
    Soccer League features 54 teams, 8 divisions, and nearly 1,000 players.
    We estimate, at a minimum, there are 5000 soccer playing adults in the City who are interested in
    high level soccer.
    At the youth level, San Francisco has several youth leagues including S.F. Vikings, S.F. Glens,
    S.F. Seals and the San Francisco Police Athletic League along with local school leagues. We have
    begun reaching out to these leagues and stakeholders to begin the community outreach and marketing
    process.
    In addition to upwards of 10,000 active youth and adult soccer players and families in the region,
    San Francisco features a unique and active supporters pub culture and organized supporters groups.
    We have begun outreach and engagement with these groups and received positive initial feedback from
    them regarding our efforts and their willingness to support the Club.
    We plan on using our effective and experienced sales and marketing team to solicit sponsorships and
    help form valuable long-term relationships with both local businesses and national brands.
    In addition, our club structure and supporter equity model will act as an effective sales and
    marketing tool. As members join the club and take a stake in its well-being, we anticipate helpful
    sponsorship ideas and marketing concepts to emerge from within the club membership alongside our
    professional sales and marketing team. This will ensure a broad and organic marketing and sales
    strategy designed to create significant resources and long-term value for the club.
    Leadership Team Casey Proud
    President-American Outlaws San Francisco
    Casey Proud, who became a Sounders fan upon their joining MLS at the tail end of his college years,
    recently stepped into leadership of the San Francisco American Outlaws. Casey currently is in
    account management at San Francisco digital magazine platform Zinio. He is a strong advocate of
    supporting soccer from the local to the global level, and hopes to help create and foster strong,
    productive relationships with other soccer organizations around San Francisco and beyond.
    Charles Wollin Scouting/Technical Staff/Media
    Experienced sports broadcaster. Head Coach San Francisco Spikes.
    Gina Mazza
    Finance and Accounting/Investor
    Gina will oversee all finance and accounting matters for the club. She played college soccer for
    the USC Trojans. Upon graduating from USC and moving to San Francisco, she formed the Athena
    women’s soccer club who quickly gained promotion to the Premier division of the GGWSL. Gina is a
    licensed CPA and has significant experience in real estate finance and accounting as well as
    general public and private auditing engagements.
    Jacques Pelham
    Club Operations/Investor
    Jacques will help oversee day-to-day operations of the Club. He joined SF City in 2011 and retired
    as a player from the Club in 2014. Prior to SF City, Jacques played for the Northern Nevada Aces of
    the MPSL and was player/manager for the George Washington University Club Soccer Team. Jacques is a
    licensed attorney with significant experience in real estate development, project finance and
    management, and litigation. He holds a BA from the University of Nevada and law degree from the
    George Washington University School of Law.
    Jonathan Wright
    Club Founder/Technical Staff
    Jonathan Founded San Francisco City F.C. in 2001 and was the Club’s Head Coach until 2008. In 2012,
    Jonathan formed the San Francisco City F.C. junior youth club.
    Michael Gonos Supporter Liason
    Michael is the founder of the San Francisco Football Supporters Association, and will serve as a
    liaison with local supporters. Michael is an engineer at Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc, a
    subsidiary of Qualcomm, Inc here in San Francisco. He has an understanding of supporter culture and
    fan community organizing techniques founded in four years experience as a member of the 1906 Ultras
    supporter movement.
    Rob Johnson Technical Staff
    Rob Johnson was a member of the original S.F. City F.C. roster and has remained with the club as
    player, manager, and head coach throughout the years.
     
  2. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Complaint: NPSL Refusal to Allow San Francisco City FC to Compete in 2015 season

    Statement of Relevant Facts:

    1. On 3/5/2014 San Francisco City FC (“SF City FC”) submitted a formal application
    packet and required materials, including an operations plan, financial pro forma,
    application sheet, and a letter from San Francisco Parks and Rec regarding a proposed
    home stadium to National Premier Soccer League (“NPSL”) Commissioner Michael
    Hitchcock.

    2. On 3/10/2014, SF City FC member Jacques Pelham met with San Francisco Stompers
    President Terry Forte. During that meeting, Mr. Forte represented that the Stompers had
    unilateral authority to reject the SF City FC application under the NPSL bylaws. Mr.
    Forte explained that this was a “business decision” to protect the Stompers from
    competing with another team based in San Francisco.

    3. On 4/5/2014, a group of SF City FC members met with Michael Hitchcock to discuss
    the SF City FC application. Commissioner Hitchcock explained that he would be meeting
    with the existing Golden Gate Conference Owners to discuss our application over the
    course of that weekend.

    4. On 4/22/2014 Mr. Pelham spoke with Mr. Hitchcock via telephone to discuss the SF
    City FC application. During this call, Mr. Hitchcock indicated that a majority of the
    owners were opposed to the application and, as such, SF City FC would be blocked from
    entering as a competitor for the 2015 NPSL season.

    5. During the 4/22/2014 phone call, Mr. Pelham asked Mr. Hitchcock if NPSL
    administered an appeals process for SF City FC to appeal to Golden Gate Conference
    Owners’ decision. Mr. Hitchcock indicated that there was no such procedure in place.

    6. On 4/29/2014 Mr. Pelham contacted Mr. Hitchcock to confirm that there was no appeal
    procedure in place and indicate SF City FC’s decision to appeal the application rejection.
    Mr. Hitchcock once again indicated that there was no appeal or complaint procedure
    administered by NPSL.

    7. On 5/2/2014 Mr. Pelham, on behalf of SF City FC, submitted an Appeal to USASA
    with regards to this matter.

    8. On 6/4/2014 USASA advised SF City FC that they would not hear the Appeal and
    advised SF City FC to pursue this matter with USSF.


    Relevant Documents:

    A. United States Soccer Federation (“USSF”) 2013-2014 Bylaws 202 and 213
    B. USSF 2013-2014 Policy 212-1
    C. United States Adult Soccer Association (“USASA”) 2013 Bylaws Section 202 and 631
    D. National Premier Soccer League (“NPSL”) 2013 Bylaws 10.01 and 10.02
    E. San Francisco City FC NPSL Application
    F. E-mail from Jacques Pelham sent to NPSL Commissioner Michael Hitchcock on
    4/29/2014
    G. E-mail from Michael Hitchcock in response to Mr. Pelham’s 4/29/2014 e-mail
    H. E-mail from USASA Executive Director Duncan Riddle re USASA’s decision not to
    hear the SF City FC appeal

    Relief Sought:

    NPSL Compliance with USSF Bylaws 212 and 213 and USSF Policy 212-1 Section 4 to
    allow San Francisco City FC, as an amateur Participant in an Affiliated Organization to
    USASA and NPSL, access to competition in the 2015 NPSL league program.

    Grounds for Appeal:

    I. NPSL/Golden Gate Conference’s decision block the SF City FC application
    violates USSF Bylaw 213 and USSF Policy 212-1 Section 4.

    USSF Bylaw 213 Section 1(a)(1) States:
    “Except with respect to a Professional League, the membership of the
    Organization Member and its member organizations shall be open to any individual who
    is an amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official active in the sport
    of soccer who is not subject to suspension under Section 4 of Bylaw 241 or pursuant to
    the disciplinary action of any amateur soccer organization in its territory.”

    Further clarifying the responsibilities of Organizational Members, USSF Policy 212-1
    Section 4 states:
    “An Organization Member must allow Participants from any Affiliated Organization to
    participate in its programs if those Participants register and comply with all of the
    reasonable policies, rules, regulations, and requirements of the Organization Member . . .
    (c) For purposes of this Section 4, an Organization Member must apply its requirements
    consistently.”

    Policy 212-1 Section 1 defines the relevant terms as follows:

    (a) “Affiliated Organization” means any Organization that is a member or identifiable
    subset of any USSF Organization Member.
    (b) “Organization” means a club, league, team, association, or other group of
    Participants.
    (c) “Organization Member” shall have the meaning set forth in USSF Bylaw 109
    [which refers to the categories described in Bylaw 202].
    (d) “Participant” means any player, coach, trainer, manager, administrator or official
    that is sponsored, financed, coached, organized, or administered by an
    Organization.

    USASA is classified as a National Association under USSF Bylaw 109/202. NPSL is
    sanctioned is classified as a National League Member Organization under USASA Bylaw
    202 1(c). California Soccer Association-North is classified as a State Association Member
    Organization under USASA Bylaw 202 1(e).

    San Francisco City FC has been a registered member of the San Francisco Soccer
    Football League (“SFSFL”) since 2002 and is a current registrant for the 2013-2014
    season. SFSFL is recognized and affiliated with USASA as a member league of the
    California Soccer Association-North region of the USASA governing structure. USASA
    also recognizes SFSFL as having achieved “Elite Amateur League” status.

    Because SF City FC is registered in good standing with SFSFL, California Soccer
    Association-North, USASA and USSF, the provisions of USSF Policy 212-1 apply. Thus,
    as a Participant Organization that is registered with a recognized Affiliated Organization
    as defined under Section 212-1, SF City FC must be permitted to participate in all
    programs of all USASA Organizational Members, including NPSL, provided SF City FC
    follows all reasonable policies, rules, regulations, and requirements promulgated by
    USASA and NPSL.

    To date, SF City FC has provided all requested materials and agreed to all reasonable
    NPSL policies, rules, regulations, and requirements and, by submission of a good faith
    application to join NPSL, has shown intent to follow all such requirements in the future.

    The intent of USSF Bylaw 213 and Policy 212-1 seems to require fair and open access to
    competition as applied to Organizational Members within USSF and USASA. Current
    NPSL policy to deny such access violates these Bylaws and Policies.

    II. Territory exclusivity agreements are likely illegal under State and Federal
    antitrust law and should not be considered a “reasonable” policy under USSF Policy
    212-1 Section 4.

    Territory and market exclusivity agreements and arbitrary admission practices by NPSL
    owners are unreasonable and likely illegal under United States antitrust laws.

    Any contention that territory/market exclusivity agreements between existing NPSL
    owners would be considered a “reasonable” rule or policy under USSF Policy 212-1
    Section 4 would be in direct conflict with established legal precedent prohibiting
    territory/market exclusivity arrangements.

    The Sherman Antirust Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1) and the California Cartwright Act
    (California Business and Professions Code Section 16600) prohibit every agreement,
    conspiracy, or other concerted activity in restraint of trade.

    Because of their deleterious effects on consumer access and market competition,
    territorial exclusivity agreements between separate entities are generally a “per se”
    violation of antitrust laws.
    United States v. Topco Assocs., Inc. 405 U.S. 596 (1972). !
    The most applicable court case concerning the antitrust law implications of territory
    exclusivity agreements with regards to sports teams and leagues was decided by the
    Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in relation to the Oakland Raiders move to Los Angeles.
    In 1981, The NFL blocked the Raiders move to Los Angeles on grounds that the existing
    Los Angeles Team, the Rams, were granted exclusive territory rights to the Los Angeles
    Market defined by a distance radius from their home stadium.

    In ruling in favor of the Raiders and against the Rams and other NFL owners, the Ninth
    Circuit held that consumer interest and trade competition were harmed by the Rams/NFL
    territory exclusivity agreement. The Court stated:

    “The competitive harms of Rule 4.3 [the NFL Territory Exclusivity Rule] are plain.
    Exclusive territories insulate each team from competition within the NFL market, in
    essence allowing them to set monopoly prices to the detriment of the consuming public.
    The rule also effectively foreclosed free competition among stadia such as the Los
    Angeles Coliseum that wish to secure NFL tenants . . . The harm from Rule 4.3 is
    especially acute in this case because it prevents a move by a team into another existing
    team's market. If the transfer is upheld, direct competition between the Rams and Raiders
    would presumably ensue to the benefit of all who consume the NFL product in the Los
    Angeles area.”

    L.A. Memorial Coliseum v. NFL
    726 F.2d 1381 (1984). !
    Other courts have come to similar rulings outside the Ninth Circuit and with respect to
    amateur sporting competition:

    Tondas v. Amateur Hockey Ass’n of U.S. 438 F.Supp. 310 (1977): The District Court for

    the Western District of New York found that a decision by the Amateur Hockey
    Association of the United States to exclude an amateur hockey team from competition in
    a geographic market was subject to Section 1 antitrust scrutiny.

    Amateur Softball Association v. United States 467 F.2d 312 (1972). The Tenth Circuit

    Court of Appeals held that amateur sports are subject to Section 1 antitrust scrutiny.

    NPSL and the Golden Gate Conference Owners’ agreement to deny the SF City FC
    application harms competition and denies additional soccer opportunities for fans,
    players, and stakeholders in the San Francisco soccer community and marketplace. These
    agreements run counter to the spirit and letter of USSF and USASA policy and
    established antitrust law precedent.

    III. NPSL Admission policies are arbitrary, inconsistent, and opaque.
    NPSL Market exclusivity agreements and league entry procedures create arbitrary and
    capricious rules for competitive entry across the NPSL. NPSL Bylaw Section 10.01(A)
    provides that new teams will be admitted to the league by a majority vote of the League
    or Conference regions where a team is domiciled. Section 10.01(A) is augmented by
    Section 10.02, which provides territory exclusivity for teams within a thirty-mile radius
    and/or a 500,000 person population limit. Under Section 10.02, existing owners have
    discretion of whether to allow additional teams to compete within the described
    geographic and/or population limits.

    These provisions create an opaque, unpredictable, and disparate patchwork of admissions
    policies throughout the various NPSL regions. This is evidenced by the various
    geographic distribution of conference roster throughout the United States and in the
    Golden Gate Conference itself.

    In the Golden Gate Conference, CD Aguiluchos (based in Oakland) and Bay Area
    Ambassadors (Formerly Based in Oakland) both played within 30 miles of the San
    Francisco Stompers “home territory” during the last three seasons.

    In addition, from the current and recent NPSL roster of teams, at least 5 additional metro
    areas have had multiple teams within 30 miles, and several within the same City:

    Dallas Metro Area
    : Dallas City FC, Liverpool Warriors
    New York City
    : New York Athletic Club, New York Red Bulls U-23, Brooklyn Italians
    Minneapolis Metro Area
    : Minnesota United Reserves, Minnesota Twin Stars
    Detroit Metro Area
    : Detroit City FC, Michigan Stars
    San Diego
    : San Diego Flash, San Diego Boca (former) !
    Multiple times NPSL Commissioner Hitchcock conveyed that competitive entry
    decisions for the Golden Gate Conference are made by the five existing Conference
    owners. However, San Francisco Stompers President Terry Forte indicated that the
    Stompers were granted unilateral authority to block or accept applications for teams
    within 30 miles of San Francisco (which appears to be the case under the NPSL Bylaws).
    Under either scenario (unilateral decision or majority vote) the admissions process for the
    SF City FC application has lacked transparent and consistent determining factors for
    admission.

    At no point during the admissions process did Commissioner Hitchcock or any of the
    Golden Gate Conference owners indicate the SF City FC application failed to meet NPSL
    standards or requirements. Yet, the SF City FC application was rejected without any
    opportunity to cure or an explanation other than Conference owners not wishing there to
    be a second NPSL team in San Francisco.

    Given the existence of current and former NPSL teams located in the San Francisco
    “territory” as defined by NPSL Bylaws, and the fact that the population of San Francisco
    exceeds 500,000 (837,442 as of 2013) it appears there is no consistent adjudication of
    NPSL bylaws and admissions procedures with respect to Golden Gate Conference
    admissions.

    Further, the appearance that each Conference operates under non-standardized
    admissions criteria and the fact that different conferences appear to have applied
    “territory rules” differently creates an inconsistent set of admissions criteria that appears
    to run counter to the spirit and letter of USSF and USASA law and policy, including
    USSF Policy 212-1 Section 4.

    IV. NPSL does not administer procedures for complaint resolution as required by
    USASA Bylaw 631.

    USASA Bylaw 631 Section 1 states:

    “Each Organization Member shall have provisions for the resolution and determination of
    grievances, disputes, and appeals provisions in its governing documents, whether Bylaws,
    rules, or other document, which clearly state the procedures under which adjudication of
    grievances, appeals, and other disciplinary matters occur.”

    USASA Bylaw 631 Section 2 provides complaint procedures to be followed in the event
    that an Organization Member does not administer the provisions required by Bylaw 631
    Section 1.

    On multiple occasions, NPSL Commissioner Hitchcock conveyed to SF City FC
    members that NPSL had no such appeals process in place. SF City FC sought to resolve
    this appeal under procedures required by USASA Bylaw 631. With no such procedures in
    place, SF City FC filed this appeal/grievance to the USASA Appeals Committee for
    resolution of the issues described herein. USASA has advised SF City FC to pursue this
    matter with USSF, due to the majority of this matter relating to USSF Bylaws.
     
  3. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  4. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  5. oneeyedfool

    oneeyedfool Member+

    Nov 17, 2012
    Club:
    New York Cosmos
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Try for PDL then?
     
  6. Earthquake FC

    Earthquake FC Member

    Feb 7, 2006
    San Francisco Bay Area
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks for posting this information. I see no reason why SFCityFC should have any roadblocks in its pursuit for NPSL membership. I thought America was all about business development. Its particularly gauling to myself that the SF Stompers FC, according to the information posted above, would be a part of rejecting SFCityFC, especially since the SF Stompers FC themselves have shown absolutely no indication or inclination of promoting their soccer brand to both increase their fanbase or seeking to apply for a higher league. I hope SFCityFC further pursues NPSL or higher league in the near future, as San Francisco/Oakland metropolitan area deserves D1 or D2 representation at some point in the long-term future.
     
    msilverstein47 and OpenCupFan repped this.
  7. keem-o-sabi

    keem-o-sabi Member

    Sep 7, 2005
    Toronto
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    hahaha, the SF teams block all new teams that wanted to come in. When I was there I wanted to bang my head against the wall trying to bring teams into the Western Conferences. Even when the groups had good financial backing they were declined by the teams there....but the teams there wanted more teams to play against...just not 20 minutes away from them in a bigger city like San Fran......Oh the joys - Can't wait to see what happens.
     
  8. athletics68

    athletics68 Member+

    Dec 12, 2006
    San Diego & San Jose
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    They have D1 representation. The San Jose Earthquakes have been representing them for the last 20 years.

    Also not surprised to see NPSL teams enforcing their territorial rights. The same shenanigans occurred in San Diego a few years back when the Flash joined the league and were forced out to the burbs by SD Boca. Ironically SD Boca has since folded and the Flash have been moving closer to where they wanted to be originally.
     
  9. JeffKuntz

    JeffKuntz Member

    Oct 17, 2011
    I dunno how much "rights" they have to their territories... I mean everyone just assumes they do, and goes along as if they do.. but if someone hired a lawyer and actually filed a lawsuit based on the Sherman Act and the NPSL and the teams preventing the new team were faced with both the cost of defending the suit and the possible financial penalties of losing - I bet they'd relent and just let them in..
     
  10. cflsteve

    cflsteve Member

    Jul 21, 2013
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Right now it looks as though the BAY Area is covered with SAN Jose for a pro soccer franchise.
    SF club in the D2 NASL with the number of still major league pro clubs in SF and Oakland themselves already have a pretty full slate not counting those in the extended Bay Area Metro.
    Giants and A's MLB, Raiders NFL, Warriors from Oakland to SF.
    The move of the Warriors over the bridge and into SF itself is probably perfect at this time to cover in SF itself. MLS and NBA playing almost opposite seasons and many options from San Jose to Oakland around SF.
     
  11. OpenCupFan

    OpenCupFan Member

    Jun 19, 2014
    Club:
    New York Cosmos
    This is what happens when you treat soccer solely as a business enterprise.
     
  12. cflsteve

    cflsteve Member

    Jul 21, 2013
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    A SF club would have to be at a higher level and be involved as part of a bigger ownership group. There is the big question as to whether an Ownership group with status could see a NASL franchise as being supported with the future goal of being in the MLS.
    San Jose Quakes stand strong in the MLS and SF/Oakland Bay area 2 MLB, NFL, and NBA franchise still withing those immediate areas.
    In theory having an MLS Club in SF with SJ being part of the extended Bay Area but will it get the fan support needed.
     
  13. athletics68

    athletics68 Member+

    Dec 12, 2006
    San Diego & San Jose
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Pro Sports at the higher levels are solely a business enterprise. Anyone thinking otherwise hasn't been paying attention the last century. Soccer was later to that reality than most sports, but soccer has been a business enterprise first for several decades now too. Why do you think so many lower level clubs fold so damned fast?
     
  14. OpenCupFan

    OpenCupFan Member

    Jun 19, 2014
    Club:
    New York Cosmos
    you can have a business without having this result.
     
  15. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    According to their twitter account SFCFC expect something back by November at the latest. Doesn't look good since the NPSL doesn't report to body SF is talking to.
     
  16. thesockerguy

    thesockerguy Guest

    Positive he meant the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward Metropolitan Statistical Area which doesn't include the Silicon Valley.
     
  17. athletics68

    athletics68 Member+

    Dec 12, 2006
    San Diego & San Jose
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Unfortunately for them their representation in sports isn't defined by arbitrary government groupings of cities in the greater San Francisco Bay Area which does include Silicon Valley.
     
  18. kenntomasch

    kenntomasch Member+

    Sep 2, 1999
    Out West
    Club:
    FC Tampa Bay Rowdies
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    No, this is what happens when Michael Hitchcock runs a soccer league.
     
  19. keem-o-sabi

    keem-o-sabi Member

    Sep 7, 2005
    Toronto
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    But he doesn't anymore ;)
     
  20. amancalledmikey

    Oct 27, 2003
    I have a bindle at this point...
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    Any word on the status of this lawsuit? This could mean an end to any territorial rights for with the PDL or NPSL and impact teams across the nation.
     
  21. msilverstein47

    msilverstein47 Member+

    Jan 11, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    nothing posted on their website...I'll send them a tweet and see if they respond.
     
  22. amancalledmikey

    Oct 27, 2003
    I have a bindle at this point...
    Club:
    West Ham United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    England
    It could be for the best. Ending the reign of uselessness for teams that have little right to the exclusivity they enjoy. It could also be for the worst, allowing fly-by-nights to muscle in on the area and fanbase of good, small budget teams.
     
  23. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  24. slaminsams

    slaminsams Member+

    Mar 22, 2010
    Cal FC defeated SF city 2-1 in a decently attended US open preliminary round game. It's a shame this team isn't a part of the Npsl

    thecup.us/2015-preliminary-round-102nd-tournament-kicks-off-with-saturday-doubleheader-video-links-preview
     
  25. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    That was a pretty crappy result. Ref kinda took over that game. Too bad.

    Hopefully SF continues to keep positive without USOC.
     

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