EXCLUSIVE: Sources tell BT 90 that NISA has not yet been cleared for a 2025 pro season
Per multiple BT 90 sources NISA met with US Soccer this past weekend at the USSF AGM in Atlanta. Our understanding is that NISA still has not been sanctioned provisionally for 2025 but that the federation is open to sanctioning the league when they have eight viable teams that meet the published PLS third division standards.
NISA we are told has asked for leniency in terms of timing to start the season and to obtain or maintain provisional sanctioning (our sources are not clear on NISA’s current status although we are told they are still a “member” league of USSF with voting privileges which implies they are in sanctioned in some manner).
Our sources indicate that US Soccer is granting NISA additional time- BUT will not give the league the go-ahead to play in 2025 until they can sign off on eight solid teams and do not want NISA to approach them again until they meet this threshold.
We are told at the moment NISA has as many as six teams that pass (USSF D3 published) muster, but the league can not present eight viable clubs at the moment.
Where this leaves the viable clubs we don’t know. If NISA has to take 2025 off, options are limited as USL League Two schedules are finalized and we understand The League for Clubs (TLFC) and NPSL are close to publishing final schedules - in fact TLFC already has released its California schedule. UPSL’s fall season could be an option for some clubs as could multiple regional leagues.
It would be unfortunate for the clubs, staff and players involved if the 2025 season is further delayed or cannot be played, so let us hope a solution is in the cards soon.
NISA Nation is unimpacted by this situation as far as we know and their season will go ahead as planned.
I'd like to think that taking down the Bobcats' on the cusp of a title was their undoing. The concept was always good, but the execution seems poor.
LA Force, Georgia FC Pro, Savannah Clovers are the only teams from last season that have shown any intent to be back, though I believe only LA has a real owner instead of being propped up by the league.
Add in CV Fuego, NoCo Hailstorm, and Roc City Boom, and I figure you've got the full set of six. Which still, I think, only leaves one real (for PLS) ownership group.
Other current NISA teams omitted because they either seem dead or clearly wanted out. Three additions are speculations: two that left/got ejected from League 1 who were defiant about still playing pro, and one random NISA Nation team that switched from using the NN website template to using the pro website template, and has no announced summer plans.
I imagine the last two come from trying to bribe Juncaj into staying and promising not to eject the Bobcats from the postseason this time if they would please just play one more season before being allowed to leave freely.