Though the team is slated to lose money for the 2016 season, it sounds like talk of Ottawa Fury FC leaving NASL was premature, and the team looks to be returning to the circuit in 2017.
The end of summer always spurs some discussions for the following season, and this year is no different. With Minnesota United moving from NASL to MLS for 2017 and the future of Rayo OKC in some doubt, the rumormongers turned their attention to Ottawa Fury FC, where attendance has been disappointing at 5,693 fans a game and the franchise operating on a loss.
But talk of Ottawa Fury FC‘s demise are decidedly premature, apparently. From the Ottawa Sun:
But there’s also a fondness for soccer within the ownership group and there is a belief that the Ottawa market can work for the franchise. Remember, the soccer team entered the city’s sports landscape at the same time as the Redblacks, who swallowed much of that oxygen at home. In their third season in the CFL, the Redblacks have had several sellouts.
While there was a cone of silence thrown up from the FCers after the tweeting began, 2017 seems like a sure thing and from there, who knows?
Here’s what Ottawa Fury FC had to say in its official spin: “Ottawa Fury is an NASL franchise and a league member in good standing. Over the last three seasons, Fury has forged strong ties with Ottawa/Gatineau soccer associations and the community at large and those efforts, combined with Fury’s high calibre of play, have established a growing fan base for professional soccer in our region. Our long-term focus is on gaining even greater fan support, this season and in future seasons, starting with (Friday) evening’s match against FC Edmonton at TD Place.”
Tongues will always wag, especially in this age of Twitter. And while plans can always change, it would seem like Ottawa Sports and Entertainment remains committed to the NASL — at least for 2017.
Image courtesy Ottawa Fury FC.