Eviction Even Impacts Major Sports Ventures

Published June 15, 2016 | By Beau Charlet

football1 Major League Hockey and Baseball are staples in American sports, but Major League Football hasn’t caught on with the same success. Professional football is known for occurring in the National Football League (NFL) with renowned teams like the Patriots, Saints, Steelers, and Eagles. However, Major League Football (MLFB) attempted to create a new niche in football catering to the fan experience.

MLFB Background

The Major League Football organization was founded in December 2014 in order to fill a major void in the football word: a spring league. Football has always been a fall sport, so MLFB stepped in to do what minor and development leagues like the World Football League and United States Football League have not. Furthermore, the MLFB focused its attention on unrecognized yet very promising football markets like Orlando, Florida and Birmingham, Alabama.

The MLFB aimed to launch its inaugural season in the spring of 2016, and even held a draft for eight teams in January 2016. However, a financial backer to the sum of $20 million actually backed out in February 2016, leaving the MLFB scrambling to maintain its financial obligations and prepare for an impending season. Sadly, the league was unable to maintain operational costs and had to declare the spring as another developmental season.

Financial Woes and Process Servers

With so many other balls in the air, the MLFB was unable to make its rent payment during March, April, May, and June. It’s no small rent sum, either. The 9,696 square foot office space, located on University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch, costs about $12,000 a month. By June 2016, the MLFB was four months late on rent and was served official eviction papers. In addition, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch is also seeking $15,000 in damages to the property.

However, the Major League Football organization hasn’t given up hope. They are seeking new investors to provide the millions of dollars they need to catch up on financial obligations and launch a 2017 spring season with great success.