Foreman Confirms MSL Is Talking Merger
The Major Soccer League could more than double in size for the 1991-92 season if talks to combine with the National Professional Soccer League are successful.
Earl Foreman, MSL commissioner, confirmed Tuesday that such talks have begun.
“We will meet with some people from that league within the next couple of weeks,” Foreman said Tuesday from his suburban Baltimore home. “It is certainly prudent to be open-minded about such things, although I’m a little uncomfortable about that word, ‘merger.’
“I was a part of the talks (in the late 1970s) between the NBA and ABA when four teams were taken into the NBA. Back then, we called it an ‘accommodation.’ ”
At the time, Foreman owned the Virginia Squires. It was one of four sports mergers of which he has been a part.
Foreman owned the Washington Whips of the United Soccer League in 1969 when that circuit combined with the National Professsional Soccer League to create the North American Soccer League.
In addition, he owned the Philadelphia Eagles in the early 1960s when the National and American football leagues merged.
Finally, he served as then MISL commissioner in the early 1980s when it admitted four NASL teams.
Steve Paxos, commissioner of the NPSL, recently acknowledged to the Milwaukee Sentinel that his league has begun a dialogue with the MSL.
“There are some things that have to be cleared up,” he said. “Then maybe I can make a comment or two.”
Ron Cady, Sockers’ president, said he is aware that talks have begun but does not know where they are leading.
“All I know,” he said, “is that an exploratory meeting has taken place between representatives of both leagues.”
It is significant that the commissioners are discussing the other league without hurling insults. Paxos was recently quoted in Soccer Digest as saying, “If I have to lose a million dollars to be called major league, then I’d rather not be major league.”
When asked about Paxos’ repeated salvos, Foreman two months ago replied, “Who’s Steve Paxos?”
Now Foreman appears to want to retract that statement.
“That was not meant to be insulting,” Foreman said. “At the time I did not know who the man was. I would not be rude or disparaging in any manner to anybody. There is no animosity between us. That would serve no purpose.”
There are several stumbling blocks if a merger is to be completed. First, the MSL has a $670,000 per-team salary cap, the NPSL uses a $300,000 ceiling.
In addition, there is a large disparity in market size. Of the MSL’s eight franchises in 1990-91 (San Diego, Tacoma, St. Louis, Dallas, Kansas City, Cleveland, Baltimore, and Wichita), all were housed in arenas with capacities of 12,300 or more except Wichita (9,681).
The NPSL has nine franchises: Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Atlanta, Hershey, Pa.; Rockford, Ill.; Canton, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; and Albany/Glens Falls, N.Y. The last five listed use arenas with capacities in the 5,000 range.
Socker Notes
Forward Branko Segota was still unable to practice Tuesday after injuring his back in Sunday’s Game 3 of the Western Division finals. He is questionable for Thursday’s game. Also nursing injuries are forward Paul Wright (left calf injury) and midfielder Jim Gabarra (bruised left thigh). Both are expected to play in Game 4.
