The Domino Effect: The Details Of How Lower Division Soccer Is Falling Down

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The Domino Effect: The Details Of How Lower Division Soccer Is Falling Down

Analysis News by Midfield Press Editorial Staff - September 22, 2016

The Ft. Lauderdale Domino

Ft. Lauderdale Strikers

In May 2016, Managing Director Luis Cuccatti informed players and staff of the Strikers they would no longer be receiving their pay by direct deposit, and instead checks were going to be issued – but they were late. Again. This was not the first time it had happened: in fact multiple sources within the team confirmed that over half the paychecks since January of this year were late in one way or another. Sometimes it was hours, other times it was days. Coupled with a loss of insurance for employees, staff, and players, it was clear that the team was suffering some serious financial and operational issues, and tightened their belts.

Enter Bill Edwards, owner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Since taking over the team in late 2013, Edwards ownership has been the model for turning a franchise around in the NASL. He put significant investment both into the stadium and the roster through the purchase of practice fields and the conversion of the home pitch from the lumpy, soggy mess that was thrown over the top of a baseball diamond, to the gorgeous field that full time staff members go to great lengths to maintain (including tarps, and helicopters). A giant 48 x18’ video display replaced the aging baseball scoreboard, still showing a faded logo from the recently ousted St. Pete Baseball Commission. The guts of the stadium saw significant upgrades and renovations. The team was definitely on the upswing off the pitch – but in the offices and locker room, there was upheaval. Despite this, the club soldiered on, finishing 7th, out of 10 overall in 2014. In 2015, they improved to 5th,out of 12, missing the playoffs by a mere two points in the combined table. They currently sit in 6th in a three-way tie with Miami and Ft. Lauderdale at 32 points. The team appears to be financially healthy, attendance is up just shy of 6,000 per match in a stadium that holds 8,200 ambitiously, and the region appears to be embracing them as a local attraction. The contrast to the Strikers could not be more profound.

. . .

Few people know Bill Edwards well enough to say what he is thinking, although he is not shy to share his thoughts when he chooses to. It is easy to assume that the unofficial rejection by the members of the Board of Governors did not go over well with him. A shrewd businessman, Edwards is not without his charitable efforts, recently donating $15,000 towards pediatric cancer research following the team’s victory against the Carolina Railhawks, with future charitable pledges for home victories to follow. However the assistance of the Strikers could be viewed as both an altruistic and business venture for the team and the league. From Baywalk, (now Sundial), to the Treasure Island Tennis & Yacht Club, to the Mahaffey Theater, Edwards is known to buy property, invest in it, and turn a profit. Due to the nature of the NASL and the tight-lipped operation surrounding the Rowdies, it is not known if the team is amongst his holdings that fall into that category. Much like the Ottawa Fury though, questions in the league business model abound, and multiple sources outside the franchise have reported that at the conclusion of the 2016 season, the Tampa Bay Rowdies are expected to leave the NASL for the USL. When the NASL Board of Governors meets next Tuesday and Wednesday in Atlanta, neither the Rowdies nor the Fury are expected to be in attendance, but sources inside the league say the topic of financing the remainder of the Strikers season is on the agenda.