NASL NOTEBOOK: League Suspends Operation of Atlanta Silverbacks
NEW YORK - The North American Soccer League (NASL) announced Monday that it has suspended its operation of the Atlanta Silverbacks for the 2016 season and possibly beyond. "The goal all along has been to secure committed local ownership in Atlanta, but despite significant conversations with a number of interested parties, we were unable to identify a group that could lead the Silverbacks in a direction consistent with the rest of our clubs," said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. "It's unfortunate, and particularly sad for the Silverbacks' passionate fan base, which has supported the club tremendously throughout the years." Originally founded in 1998, the Silverbacks joined the NASL for its inaugural season in 2011, and were operated by the league last season while it searched for a long-term local ownership group. Silverbacks President and General Manager Andy Smith, who had been with the club for four of its five NASL seasons, took a moment Monday t...