2007-2008 Washington Glory women's pro softball franchise owner Paul Wilson has filed for protection under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, according to Glory Geek blog. The bankruptcy notice was sent to all current Glory season ticket holders.
It isn't immediately clear whether the Glory franchise itself is seeking bankruptcy as a business or just Paul & Kathleen Wilson as individuals. The Glory fell under a significant debtload during Paul Wilson's two year ownership of the Northern Virginia-based franchise. An attempt to sell the team during this offseason fell through due to its accumulated debt, leading to the reported folding of the Glory.
Despite the dire financial developments, National Pro Fastpitch is looking for a way to reconstitute the Glory or a substitute operation to maintain a five team league for its 2009 season. Unfortunately, plans for such a fifth team may still leave local women's pro softball fans out in the cold.
Should it be revived, most recent reports indicate that a 2009 Glory would likely be a travel or non-local team with no games in metro Washington, D.C. Worse, the bankruptcy filing converts the already preexisting season ticket holders into unsecured creditors, making it virtually impossible for them to receive full refunds from Wilson. Such non-refunds would burn off the credibility of women's pro softball in the D.C. market.
To date, the National Pro Fastpitch league has issued no public statement whatsoever about the current status of the Washington Glory.
______________________Labels: sports, washington glory, women's pro softball
