WPS Officially Announces Suspension Of 2012 Season

Confirming earlier reports, Women’s Professional Soccer officially announced the suspension of the 2012 season, casting the future of the fledgling league into doubt. The statement does not mention magicJack owner Dan Borislow by name, but it puts the blame for this decision directly on his shoulders:

Over the last year the league has faced significant challenges, including a lengthy and expensive legal battle with a former owner. The litigation has diverted resources from investment in the league and has forced the Board to take action, suspending the 2012 season in order to address the legal issues head-on before moving forward with competition.

Prior to Monday, it appeared plans were moving forward for WPS to play the 2012 season with just five teams. The league was in that precarious position to begin with when it terminated its relationship with Borislow and disbanded the team back in October. Borislow subsequently sued the league.

WPS and Borislow had been at odds almost ever since he purchased the Washington Freedom, moved them from DC to South Florida and renamed them after his signature product. Although Borislow managed to assemble an impressive collection of talent, he often clashed with league officials and the players union.

In the league statement, WPS Jennifer O’Sullivan said the league plans to resume in 2013.

“We are deeply grateful to our fans and partners for the tremendous support they have shown for WPS, our players and the sport,” O’Sullivan said. “With our supporters and athletes in mind, we are committed to complete the hard work necessary to resume play in 2013 and reestablish WPS as the premiere women’s professional soccer league in the world.”