Sharks Announce New League
September 9, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Orlando Sharks News Release
(Orlando, FL - September 9, 2008) - 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 transitions away from 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 (the 2007-08 American Indoor Soccer League champions). 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
MetroCentre
8,700
www.rockfordrampage.com
"The birth of the National Indoor Soccer League represents a focused move toward establishing a strong group of owners, executives and players who are committed to developing the NISL as the top level of play in indoor soccer for generations," said Sharks team owner Sham Maharaj. "I'm excited to finally see this vision move forward."
"Our fans will again enjoy the world class athleticism and great entertainment of the Sharks," continued team president Rich Bradley. "A lot of work has gone into getting our foundation right, and today is a day to celebrate a great future in Orlando and throughout the indoor soccer world."
Important Information:
Each NISL team will play an 18-game conference schedule (nine home games/nine away games) beginning in mid-November and concluding the first weekend in April. The Sharks will also play an out-of-conference schedule which includes a home and away series with former MISL member (now PASL-PRO member) California Cougars.
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).
About the Orlando Sharks
The Orlando Sharks, an operating unit of Orlando-based BVC Sports & Entertainment, and a founding member of the National Indoor Soccer League, are the only professional soccer team in the state of Florida. The Sharks second season of play is scheduled to begin in mid-November. Information regarding Sharks season, group, individual tickets, summer camps and Pro Day walk-on open tryouts can be obtained by calling the club at 407-403-6300, by visiting the team's official Internet property, www.OrlandoSharks.com, by calling TicketMaster at 1-800-277-1700 or by using www.TicketMaster.com.
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.
