Part 3 with NISA Commissioner John Prutch: Open systems, relationships with amateur leagues, supporting troubled clubs, local derbies and much more

Part 1: Atlanta and Savannah situations

Part 2: NISA+

Part 3: Today

Part 4: Open Cup, PRO/REL, PLS and Independent Cup (tomorrow)

In this portion of the interview with NISA Commissioner John Prutch we get into the NISA’s relationship with other leagues and lower divisions. Can NISA create an open system if they are not working with other entities? Why do NISA clubs have such struggles in terms of developing meaningful business relationships in local markets as well as in terms of local relevance? Will NISA be more proactive in the future with helping struggling clubs because we’ve seen too many clubs in the league fail or limp to a finish line in a given season. 

I wouldn’t say any part of the interview was truly testy, but in this portion, I pushed back more than in the first two segments. And by pushing in certain directions the interview seems to have yielded some interesting answers from Commissioner Prutch in terms of the league offices role in helping clubs on the business side.

Based on this feedback, it’s a truly new day for NISA in terms of understanding the proper role of a league. “Independence” is all good and well as a tag line but that doesn’t mean the wild wild west is viable alternative to the centralized model of MLS or the franchise-based model of USL.

Additionally the role of local derbies was discussed.

This past weekend, LA Force opened their season against new local rivals Irvine Zeta FC. The match was played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach, the new home of the LA Force. The Force is owned by Bob Friedland, whose influence over NISA as a league cannot be understated. It is Friedland who effectively controls much of the decision-making at the league level. 

LA Force is linked to Friedland’s massive network of youth and development clubs in southern California, but the pro club he owns has never had a stable home base or identity. With the entry of Irvine Zeta FC into the league, effectively a replacement for the defunct Cal United Strikers, as well as Capo FC, who are also in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, local derbies are back in NISA for 2024. 

Content available for paid subscribers now - unlocks for free subscribers Saturday April 13.