Anaheim Among Applicants for Continental Indoor Soccer Team

Anaheim is among four California cities that have applied for a franchise in the new Continental Indoor Soccer League, league founder Ron Weinstein said Tuesday.

The league also has received applications from Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Phoenix, Portland, Ore., Houston and Dallas. Weinstein said three other cities from the western United States also are interested in franchises.

Weinstein said the new league will begin play in June with a 28-game schedule.

The Anaheim application was filed by Stu Lichter, a Redondo Beach real estate investor. Lichter, 43, is the former owner of the Cleveland Crunch of the now-defunct Major Soccer League.

Lichter said he is negotiating with Anaheim Arena officials. The arena is scheduled to open early next summer, just before league play begins.

“We haven’t signed an agreement yet, but we’re working on it,” Lichter said. “It’s a spectacular arena and we’re hopeful of finishing the deal.

“Anaheim--or all of Orange County, actually--is a real soccer hot bed. The new arena is going to create a lot of interest, and indoor soccer appeals terrifically to everyone. It’s exciting and high scoring, close to hockey except you can see the ball.”

Said Anaheim Arena spokesman John Nicoletti: “We would definitely like to have more programming to give to our patrons, but I think some of the contract questions still need to be negotiated.”

Weinstein, who started the Los Angeles Lazers with Jerry Buss in the early 1980s, says Orange County’s strong soccer following will foster Anaheim’s success at the gate.

“With the Lazers, one-third of our attendance came from the Orange County area,” Weinstein said.

Others who filed franchise applications include: Buss, owner of the Lakers; Jim Thomas, owner of the Sacramento Kings; Oscar Ancira Jr., owner of the San Diego Sockers; Jerry Colangelo, owner of the Phoenix Suns, and Donald Carter, owner of the Dallas Mavericks.