If Dan Borislow has his way, some radical changes are in store for the Washington Freedom, the WPS team that he took control of as majority investor last week, including a name change, the potential signing of four-time FIFA player of the year Marta, and the franchise’s eventual departure from the Capital area altogether.
In an interview late last week with EqualizerSoccer.com, Borislow, the inventor of the magicJack telephone device, said that he plans to rename the Freedom to something along the lines of magicJack SC or FC.
In addition, the likely-to-be-formerly-known-as-the-Freedom are also set to split their home games in 2011 between Washington, where they will still play at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, and South Florida at a yet-to-be-determined site. Borislow’s company is based in Palm Beach.
Regarding the name change, expect little to no resistance from WPS on this matter, even if it’s going to mean the end of possibly the best brand name in women’s pro soccer over the last decade.
As for the schedule, the WPS is expected to announce any day that its schedule will be reduced to 18 games next year after playing 24 games in 2010, as it had already planned on taking a break during the 2011 Women’s World Cup. That means perhaps four or five home games in Washington next year, and Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale is one site that has been on the table in Florida. The WPS board has approved Borislow’s plans to explore the South Florida market next season, and what’s more, it has heard his thoughts on moving the team there in 2012. A suitable permanent home venue would be one factor that Borislow would have to satisfy if he were to move the team on a permanent basis.
Something else to keep in mind, is that most of the details of what Borislow talked about his interview have not been discussed in detail with WPS or even all of the current personnel that work for the Freedom.
The Freedom, or whatever they might be named in the future, are expected to announce a player signing soon, but there is no indication yet if that will be Marta.
Is this crazy or what? It’s a bit harsh to say, but is this better than folding?
