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Spanish Club Alaves to acquire USL First Division franchise

May 16, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1) News Release


Tampa, FL - For the first time in USL history, a professional European club will own and operate a USL franchise. USL President Francisco Marcos Tuesday announced Dmitry Piterman, President of Spanish League club Deportivo Alaves from Vitoria, the capital city of the province of Alava in the Basque country of Spain, has signed a letter of intent to operate a USL First Division franchise beginning in the 2007 season.

"I am absolutely thrilled with this development," said Marcos. "I believe that USL's future and that of development of American players lies with direct involvement with top international clubs. I have no doubt that the relationship with Alaves will pave the way for many future similar situations. I want to thank Dmitry for his vision and commitment in launching this concept with us and that it will pay dividends all around."

If all goes according to the terms of the letter of intent, the final franchise acquisition agreement will be completed by the first of July, by which time the exact location of the teams base, name, office location, and preliminary staff will have been completed. Charged with those details will be longtime soccer executive and coach Terry Fisher, who spent the past week in Vitoria with Marcos and Piterman. He will serve as the franchise's executive management consultant in the start-up phase. Fisher is expected to concentrate the next 45 days in securing a playing location in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Piterman is a Ukrainian born Berkeley graduate entrepreneur who splits his time between his Oakland, California residence and Vitoria, having acquired Alaves two years ago in the Spanish League. Alaves, founded in 1921, has alternated the last seven years between the Spanish Second Division and La Primera Liga, with its most glorious moment coming in 2001 when they reached the UEFA Cup Final, losing 5-4 overtime thriller to European Champions Liverpool FC.

For further information about Deportivo Alaves, please visit www.alaves.com.

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