January 30, the Boston Breakers announced that they ceased operations as a first division WPS team for the 2012 season in conjunction with Women's Professional Soccer's decision to shutter the league for the season due to the expensive and time-consuming legal proceedings versus ejected magicJack team owner Dan Borislow.
The WPS Board of Governors voted to suspend operations. All five owners of the existing teams - Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC and Western New York Flash - will remain active with CEO Jennifer O’Sullivan in the governance of WPS throughout the current year. In press teleconference, O'Sullivan maintained that WPS plans to resume in 2013, but with the changing landscape in women's soccer any incarnation could look quite different.
The Breakers issued a press release noting that they are "exploring other options so that we can put a team out on the field in 2012, possibly in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) or the USL W-League."
Recently, both the W-League and the WPSL have declared that they are looking to operate professional women's soccer leagues at non-first division status.
"Like our loyal supporters, we are upset by today’s announcement," said Associate General Manager Lee Billiard. "We want to thank all of those who purchased season memberships. Thanks to you, we were in a great position to exceed previous years' ticket sales.
We will continue to work hard supporting WPS, our players, and our supporters with a view to returning soon.”
The Boston Breakers had the highest attendance average of any club in the league since its inception.
Ticket refunds, all group tickets, season tickets, flex packs, and youth soccer partnerships that were purchased will be automatically refunded over the next three weeks. If you have any questions regarding ticket refunds, you may contact either Lee Billiard lbilliard@bostonbreakers.com or at 781-619-9339 or Gary Beatty at gbeatty@bostonbreakers.com or at 781-619-9328.
"We are proud of what the League has accomplished in the first three seasons, but we do recognize the necessity to resolve our existing legal and operational issues so that we can continue to support and grow WPS the right way," said Sky Blue FC Owner Thomas Hofstetter.
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