Effect of Sidekick Problems Unknown

Ron Fowler, owner of the Sockers, said Friday that it is premature to speculate about how the financial difficulties of the Dallas Sidekicks will affect the remainder of the Major Indoor Soccer League season.

Robert McGuire, a U.S. bankruptcy judge, ruled Thursday in Dallas that the Sidekicks must post $260,000 by 1:30 p.m. Monday or face foreclosure by their major creditor, Dallas Basketball LTD.

On Feb. 13, the Sidekicks filed for Chapter 11 protection after learning the Dallas Mavericks, the team’s previous owner, planned to request an order in state court for the Sidekicks to surrender all assets because of an outstanding note of $360,000 that was due in July of 1988.

Socker President Ron Cady said there is nothing at this point that would lead him to believe that the Sidekicks will be prevented from playing the remainder of the season.

The MISL has requested a 72-hour postponement of Monday’s deadline to give directors from each team an opportunity to discuss solutions. Fowler will participate in a conference call Monday morning.

“I’m hoping the judge will honor the request,” Fowler said. “We want to make sure we can look at the options in an enlightened manner without the pressure of Monday’s deadline.”