Heat’s Future Is Still Cloudy

Executives of the financially strapped Los Angeles Heat soccer team met with a potential unnamed investor Thursday night in an attempt to avoid folding the American Professional Soccer League West team.

The Heat has reportedly been given until today to post a $20,000 performance bond with the league, but there is speculation the team may let that deadline pass.

Club President John Ajemian and South Bay businessman Roland Martin have reportedly been spending between $15,000 and $20,000 a month to keep the team afloat after another potential investor backed away from buying 25% of the team last fall.

The Heat’s 1990 budget was about $360,000, but it is believed the team spent nearly $200,000 more.

The APSL West, which was composed of 11 teams last season, is expected to announce later this month how many teams it plans to field. Several clubs are seeking to move or merge, and owners of the Salt Lake City Sting have told league officials that the team is up for sale.