Western New York Flash Enter into Agreement with North Carolina
January 9, 2017 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
BUFFALO, NY - The Western New York Flash announced today the club has entered an agreement with North Carolina Football Club to acquire their rights in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the team will be moved to Cary, North Carolina ahead of the 2017 NWSL season. The team will begin operations in North Carolina, effective immediately.
In light of this, season ticket holders will be fully refunded immediately.
Below is a statement from the Sahlen Family
"Unfortunately, it has become apparent that the Western New York market is not the right fit for the NWSL and the future direction of the league. We know that the North Carolina market will provide what the players deserve and we are excited to see the team continue to compete at the highest level. The NWSL has been an incredible platform for the top women's soccer players to perform in and we are proud to have been a founding member. We wish the NWSL and our other fellow ownership groups - as well as US Soccer - the best of luck and would like to thank them for the past four years.
Our dedication and support of the game will remain strong at the grass roots level through the WNY Flash Academy and Sahlen's Sports Park. We are wholly committed to our Academy and we look forward to developing future collegiate and NWSL-caliber players.
Thank you to all of our former and current players for their efforts on and off the field and who always wore the Flash brand with pride.
We are eternally grateful for all of our front office staff over the past seven years who worked to make this vision into a reality. All current employees have been offered opportunities within our entities and we hope they continue to work with us for many years to come.
Lastly, we want to thank the Western New York area for welcoming us into their community for the past seven years and helping us celebrate five trophies throughout four different leagues in Professional Women's Soccer. It has been an incredible journey and we will cherish these memories for a lifetime."
Below is a statement from NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush
"We truly appreciate all the Sahlen family has done to foster the growth of the women's game in their area and will continue to do in the future. To all the fans, we want to thank you for your support of the Flash and continued support of the league. The Flash will always play an important role in the history of NWSL, and for that we are grateful to everyone in Western New York who were part of it."
Soccer will remain in Western New York through the operations of the Western New York Flash Academy and Sahlen's Sports Park. The Flash are committed to continue to grow the game in the area and make a meaningful and positive impact in our community.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from January 9, 2017
- Carli Lloyd Wins Best FIFA Women's Player for Second Consecutive Year - NWSL
- Houston Dash MF Carli Lloyd Wins the Best FIFA Women's Player Award - Houston Dash
- Western New York Flash Enter into Agreement with North Carolina - Western New York Flash
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