I didn't say they should be owned by the MLS clubs. But if Dee Haslam wants invest in a team in Cleveland, why not? OK that would piss off the Cleveland Pro MLSNP investors, so not the greatest example. Point is, as a private investor why wouldn't you want to invest in multiple teams.
Because they are busy with their MLS team. Most people aren't going to give money to someone without expecting some means of input. There's also the counter offer of "Why would a USL team accept an MLS investor?" They are positioning themselves as a competitor to MLS. From an optics perspective, it would be bad for USL to have MLS investors.
USL Names English Premier League Executive Tony Scholes President of New Division One Men’s League He's going to experience a sports culture-shock here.
Sources: North Carolina FC has applied for membership to USL's new D1 league, which is set to start in 2028.NCFC's USL membership expires after this season. So club's plan is to wait to return until D1 league starts (with pro/rel).No guarantee they get membership. Working on… https://t.co/gWF4LsFawj— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) November 4, 2025
"The USL believes Raleigh has strong potential as a future Division One market if it meets the league’s professional standards, including a minimum 15,000-seat, purpose-built soccer stadium that will serve as an anchor for real estate development." North Carolina FC Update https://share.google/y3nyCfInu5a3AKwb4 So only if they get a sweet deal on a stadium?
That looks like a side effect. Like the web folks couldn't figure out how to show the results of the games with Charlotte and NCFC without setting up NCFC with a page. They don't show up in any of the divisions, instead there is a Carolina Core FC which google shows as a totally different club covering the area between Charlotte and Cary. But again, wouldn't shock me if they arrive in 2027 or 2028, depending on which way the wind is blowing on the USL D1 at that time.
USL's pro/rel plans off to a great start. Don't need to be promoted on merit whereas you don't have to play for two years and then apply for Division 1. Interesting to announce your temporary departure during playoff season.
Why not just stay in USL-C and work their way up once ProRel starts? According to many ProRel will attract a lot of interest because of the thrill of promoting. Why stop for 2 years to apply and start at the top? Doesn't look like teams will enjoy or survive relegation once they start it.
This is the very question that people are asking. NCFC isn't guaranteed to be approved for USL-D1, so why take the 2 years off? And what happens if USL doesn't give them access? Is NCFC going to rejoin USL-C, USL-1, or fold?
I haven't polled my zealots in a while but it was one of the lower tenets to have no love for Malik, nor to be shocked that he'd bail on a 2nd division with 1st division aspirations at a key moment...scoprions on frog ferrys and all that... Unlike most of them, I don't see it as a personal affront, it's just business. I hope the Courage continue to do good things on the NWSL side and get back to their former glory...
Oh yes. I saw a comment in a The Athletic today that Garber had nixed the Loyal's downtown stadium bid, which was denied before SDFC was an idea. Garber has incredible powers.
BREAKING: @NorthCarolinaFC folds ahead of next USL season.The owner voluntarily shut down the team to focus on another business venture, leaving players with only 2 months’ pay under the CBA.9 clubs have folded in the last decade. Players deserve better.#StandUpForStandards pic.twitter.com/D4vpJ5hvCO— USLPA (@USLPlayers) November 4, 2025 CBA talks should be VERY interesting.....
The most plausible explanation for the hiatus is that they are bleeding money. They need a 15K stadium for D1, so either they need to expand the current stadium or build a new one. The most positive spin would be that they don't want operational losses to take away from money that can be used for a stadium, and then they can relaunch with a new business plan in a new league.
I love the "9 clubs have folded in the last decade" thing from...USLPA? Like what GenZ person does their freaking social media. NINE CLUBS USED TO FOLD EVERY OFFSEASON BACK IN THE DAY, YOU FREAKING MOOKS.
You're farther along in the thought process in however long it took you to type that than most of the prawns are after 15 years of this debate. Another question: what if NCFC is relegated after the 2028 season? They've indicated DII isn't for them. So....
I suspect the leagues themselves will object. Way too many conflicts of interest and also potential for shenanigans. Like, what if they’re matched up in the Open Cup? What if the Cleveland team has a Cavan Sullivan type player and then they sell him to the Crew for a bag of balls? It’s just begging for scandals.
NCFC’s location is worse than terrible. Absolutely nothing within walking distance, so young adults aren’t gonna care. It’s not in Raleigh, it’s in Cary, and not even a good location for Cary. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Courage move, because with the way NWSL is growing, that location is going to leave them far, far behind the rest of that league.
They were getting crowds of 4 to 5k in the Championship before they self-relegated to League One. Crowds halved and didn't recover when they self-promoted back to the Championship. As for the stadium, Malik owns NC Courage who also play there and just broke the attendance record with 11,170 against Gotham FC.