Ogden Still Optimistic of Reaching Splash Deal

Facing a Monday deadline by Continental Indoor Soccer League owners to commit to the 1998 season, an Ogden Facility Management official expressed optimism Friday that an agreement will be reached with one of four potential partners to take control of the Splash.

“My hope is that if we have a positive direction [with a potential partner] that the governors would allow us some additional time to get the deal finalized,” said Tim Ryan, assistant general manager of the Pond, which is operated by Ogden and has been home to the Splash. Ogden owned the Splash in 1994 and 1995, and Ryan was the team’s general manager.

“The final decision on that is up to the league.”

On Monday, CISL owners and are expected to determine what to do with the Splash franchise, whose rights were seized by the league from Anaheim Splash, Inc., and president Gary Sparks.

According to Commissioner Ron Weinstein, under consideration are moving the team or disbanding it with hopes of resurrecting an Anaheim franchise in 1999.

Under Ryan’s direction, the Splash averaged 4,688 in 1994, and 8,429 in 1995. He said three of the four potential partners have sports-related backgrounds.

The league holds franchise rights to Anaheim, Portland and Houston. Because of summer upgrades to The Summit, the Houston Hotshots will certainly be moved. Weinstein said his first hope for expansion in 1998 “is none,” but for Portland and Anaheim to stay put.

But the league was caught off-guard by Friday’s announcement that the Dallas Sidekicks are joining a new professional summer league.

“I would have expected that before a decision of this magnitude was made,” Weinstein said, “[owner Donald Carter] would have taken the opportunity to hear from his fellow owners.

“Everyone’s decision was due in by Monday, but their decision was confusing since they have been profitable more often than not since [1993].”

Ryan, too, was surprised.

“I don’t know if it impacts what we’re going to do [because] teams come and go, but Dallas has certainly been a leader in the indoor soccer business for many years,” he said. “It’s not good news, but it doesn’t impact our search for an owner here in Anaheim.”