Pro Soccer To Leave Minnesota Unless National Sports Center Is Able To Recruit Financial Partner
du Nord, August 30, 2010
Official press release directly from NSC Minnesota Stars:BLAINE, Minn. (August 30, 2010) – Several weeks ago, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) released new higher standards for Division 2 professional soccer teams playing in a USSF-sanctioned league in 2011. The NSC Minnesota Stars, which currently play in the USSF Division 2 league, are facing a dilemma. The team, which is owned by the non-profit National Sports Center (NSC) Foundation, is unable to meet the higher financial benchmarks necessary for league membership next year.“While we support the efforts of the USSF to upgrade the standards for pro soccer, the new standards will necessitate that we find an organization or individual willing to join us as a financial partner,” said Kris Bjerkness, Stars’ General Manager. “That’s what we need to qualify under the new higher standards.”“When we assumed ownership of the team last January, we were very public about our desire to eventually pursue a creative public/private ownership model to bring mor