Tacoma, Commissioner Discuss Possible Tampering

Representatives of the Tacoma Stars, including former Socker star Steve Zungul, met with Major Indoor Soccer League Commissioner Bill Kentling for nearly five hours Wednesday to discuss the possibilities of tampering with Socker midfielder Branko Segota and a violation of the team salary cap.

Zungul, Star players Preki and Gerry Gray, Coach Alan Hinton, president John Best and MISL counsel Robert Carlson met with Kentling in Carlson’s New York City office. “The Tacoma people were very cooperative,” Kentling said during a telephone interview. “The guys involved were quite willing to elaborate in their answers. I took that as a good sign.”

Kentling said he expects to get a transcript of Wednesday’s interviews next Monday or Tuesday and might have a decision by late next week.

“I will take more time than less time if there are grounds for charges,” Kentling said.

The two issues under consideration are:

-- Any role Zungul might have played in Segota’s decision on Dec. 16 not to sign a six-year, $1.25-million contract with the Sockers. Segota, in the option year of his contract, turned down what would have been the longest and most lucrative contract in league history.

-- Tacoma’s possible violation of the $1.275-million per team salary cap that was implemented before this season.

Kentling said there could be sanctions against Tacoma, its coach, players or officials if the team is found guilty of tampering or violating the salary cap.