National Indoor Soccer League Will Begin Play In November
September 9, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
The National Indoor Soccer League, the newest incarnation of indoor soccer in North America, has been created and will begin the 2008-09 season in mid-November. The NISL was formed after the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) dissolved in May and includes four former MISL teams. The NISL will operate under a reformed business model that abandons the MISL's single-entity structure and provides greater efficiencies that will allow for long-term growth and expansion of the sport.
The NISL will consist of five member clubs including the Baltimore Blast, La Raza de Monterrey, Orlando Sharks, Philadelphia KiXX (all of the former MISL) and the Rockford (Illinois) Rampage (formerly of the American Indoor Soccer League). With the Baltimore Blast and the Philadelphia KiXX, the NISL will feature two of the most successful former MISL teams. Baltimore defeated Monterrey to win the 2008 MISL Championship and the Blast and KiXX combined to win six of the last seven titles. In addition to the teams' on-field successes, Baltimore and Philadelphia have led the MISL in attendance each of the last four seasons.
Team Home Arena Capacity Website
Baltimore Blast 1st Mariner Arena 11,286 www.baltimoreblast.com
La Raza de Monterrey Arena Monterrey 15,000 www.laraza.com.mx
Orlando Sharks Amway Arena 15,948 www.orlandosharks.com
Philadelphia KiXX Wachovia Spectrum 16,713 www.kixxonline.com
Rockford Rampage TBD TBD www.rockfordrampage.com
Important Information:
Each NISL team will play an 18-game schedule (nine home games/nine away games) beginning in mid-November and concluding the first weekend in April.
The complete 2008-09 schedule and playoff format will be released in late September.
The NISL will use the same rules as the MISL which featured a multiple-point scoring system, four 15-minute quarters and unlimited substitutions.
The League has formed a working relationship with the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and will become a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
The Philadelphia KiXX, who have called the Wachovia Spectrum home since 1996, will play their final 2008-09 season at the Spectrum. "We have enjoyed three trips to the Championship finale during our tenure and have secured two league honors. We hope to raise our third Championship banner this spring and look forward to celebrating with Comcast Spectacor the final exciting year of the rich history of the Spectrum," KiXX President Jeff Rotwitt stated.
"With this being the last year of the Wachovia Spectrum, we want as many people as possible to be able celebrate all of the thousands of memories that made the Spectrum America's Showplace," said Comcast-Spectacor President Peter Luukko. "We're excited that the Kixx will help us celebrate the Spectrum all season long and we encourage soccer fans throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region to join us at the Spectrum during our year."
Looking into the future 2009-10 season and beyond, the KiXX intend to move its permanent home to the magnificent 10,000 seat Liacouras Center at Temple University. We look forward to hosting a game during the 08-09 campaign to open our new doors to our fans and sponsors and our new neighbors at Temple.
Temple Associate Vice President Rich Rumer, "We are delighted to have the potential to bring the fast game of arena soccer to the Liacouras Center. We believe the Kixx would be a great addition to our event mix, especially for the nearly 11,000 Temple students who live nearby."
"We have terrific fans, loyal and valued sponsors and we are thankful for their continued support at this watershed moment. We can't wait to show them our new home and raise our banners at the new facility" added Rotwitt.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from September 9, 2008
- Sharks Announce New League - Orlando Sharks
- National Indoor Soccer League Will Begin Play In November - Philadelphia KiXX
- National Indoor Soccer League Will Begin Play In November - Baltimore Blast
- Rockford Rampage To Join New League - Rockford Rampage
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
