A Florida bankruptcy court awarded the assets of United League Baseball to Reunion Sports, but it’s not clear yet whether baseball will return to the league’s cities in 2009.
A Florida Dallas bankruptcy court awarded the assets of United League Baseball to Reunion Sports, but it’s not clear yet whether baseball will return to the league’s cities in 2009.
Reunion Sports is the firm headed by ULB founders John Bryant and Byron Pierce, and their lawsuits exposed the financial issues surrounding the independent league — issues that caused ULB owners to file bankruptcy in a Florida court in December 2008.
Basically, Bryant and Pierce charged they were owed money by the league and were due damages because the value of their potential ULB franchises were diminshed by the league’s actions. In addition, San Angelo Colts owner Harlan Bruha filed a separate action against the league, saying he was owed money as well.
The bankruptcy court approved a settlement calling for Pierce and Bryant to buy the assets of the league for $325,000. The final settlement will be heard at a March 25 hearing under expedited circumstances; if approved, it would give Bryant and Pierce the option of fielding a league for 2009.
Whether this happens remains to be seen. It’s awfully late in the sales process for a league to begin operations, especially when there are no employees in place yet. The exact makeup of the league needs to be determined: there were seven teams under the bankuptcy filing, but there are no assets involved with the Alexandria Aces (and another group has claimed the market and name for a Continental Baseball League franchise). It’s most likely the league will consist of the Laredo Broncos, San Angelo Colts, Amarillo Dillas and Harlingen WhiteWings.
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