AP Photo/Paul SakumaDan Borislow says the deal is a win-win-win.Women's Professional Soccer averted another court date with magicJack owner Dan Borislow on Wednesday, reaching a deal that allows his team to play an exhibition schedule in 2012 and 2013. Borislow said he has put his temporary injunction suit on hold; the suit was intended to stop the termination of his franchise.
The details of the deal need to be finalized and the plan must be approved by U.S. Soccer.
"It was a win-win-win here," said Borislow via email. "I won, the league won and my team won. The fourth win is actually the fans and soccer."
WPS players' union executive director Jennifer Hitchon also likes the resolution.
"Successful WPS compromise: Suit dropped, league survives, unsigned players can play a few exhibition games," Hitchon said on Twitter.
WPS officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Borislow had taken the league to Palm Beach County (Fla.) Circuit Court seeking temporary reinstatement of magicJack, which the league moved to terminate in November. WPS said Borislow violated several league rules and soured relationships with league sponsors and vendors. The WPS threatened to disband rather than play another season with him as an owner. Borislow and WPS have had a running series of disputes, dating to last season.
Judge Meenu Sasser ruled last week that WPS failed to follow its own procedures in terminating Borislow's team. The Wednesday hearing dealt with other aspects of Borislow's motion for a temporary injunction.
The unique deal will give Borislow the opportunity to continue operating a professional team without being a league member. The plan is for his team to play seven or eight exhibition games -- one at each of the five remaining WPS venues and at least two in South Florida -- in 2012.
Borislow aims to re-sign many of the players from his 2011 magicJack team, including national team members Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Megan Rapinoe and Christie Rampone.
"It's a great way to showcase a lot of the United States' talent," Borislow said. "It's a really good day for soccer. It's a huge thing for South Florida. Other than watching the girls beat Brazil [in the World Cup], this would have to be my second-best soccer day."
