Anaheim Group Receives Indoor Soccer Franchise

The World Indoor Soccer League has granted an expansion franchise to an Anaheim ownership group, league president Gordon Jago said Wednesday.

However, the unnamed Anaheim group must meet one more requirement to be allowed to field a team in the 2000 season. “They must have an arena lease that’s satisfactory to the local ownership group and to us [the league],” Jago said.

League owners rejected San Diego’s expansion request, citing a need for further information.

The league gave the Anaheim and San Diego groups until the end of October to complete the requirements to play next summer.

“If they have to negotiate an arena deal, we don’t want to say ‘You have to have it tomorrow,’ ” Jago said. “That gives them sufficient time to get their last bits and pieces done.

“We have a good relationship with the Arrowhead Pond, we know the people there, and we want them to be on board.”