| Thunder’s future at National Sports Center is uncertain |
|
|
| Friday, 20 November 2009 | ||
|
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Staff Writer The Minnesota Thunder’s financial situation is leading the National Sports Center (NSC) to look at a possible future that doesn’t include a professional soccer team.
Barclay Kruse, the NSC’s chief communication officer, said this morning (Friday, Nov. 20) that the Blaine sports facility is still under contract with the Minnesota Thunder. However, according to Kruse, a number of creditors have approach the franchise looking to be paid. “It’s becoming increasingly clear that the team might not survive what has already been a volatile off-season,” Kruse said The Thunder play in the USL-1 league, which released the entire Minnesota roster of their contracts Nov. 3 and without a general manager or coach, things are looking bleak for the Thunder. In September, the Minnesota Thunder were named as one of seven teams that had formed a breakaway group from the United Soccer League’s Division 1.The newly formed group is called the Team Owners Association (TOA). According to Kruse, the Thunder didn’t pay some of its players as well as coach Donny Gramentz, other team officials, vendors and the league. The only person remaining with the team is Manny Lagos, president and director of soccer operations, Kruse said Friday. Lagos could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon regarding the team’s future status. “We’re continuing to work with the Thunder until everything is resolved financially with the NSC,” Kruse said. “We still have some contractual obligations with the team, but we think those details will be settled within 30 days.” According to Kruse, NSC officials are concerned the facility would be without a professional franchise. “It’s good for soccer in Minnesota and good for the NSC to have a professional team playing in our stadium for several reasons,” Kruse said. “It provides marquee games during youth tournaments and helps preserve a high level of soccer in Minnesota.” According to Kruse, around Jan. 1, 2010, more details should emerge about situation between the Thunder and the NSC. The NSC doesn’t need the team in order to survive financially, Kruse said. “But we absolutely want them to remain,” he said. Jason Olson is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
||
Minnesota Thunder player Jeremiah Bass, middle, kept the ball away
from Vancouver Whitecaps defenders during the season opener at the the
National Sports Center in Blaine. Photo by Jason Olson | < Prev | Next > |
|---|