The NASL has confirmed that it is cutting all ties with Traffic Sports, a company connected to the 2015 FIFA corruption case.
Traffic Sports long held deep connections to the NASL. The organization most recently owned the Carolina RailHawks, before selling the franchise to Stephen Malik. In addition, Aaron Davidson–previously the president of Traffic Sports USA–once served as the chairman of the NASL’s board of governors.
Davidson’s role with the league ceased last year, and he plead guilty this fall on racketeering and wire fraud charges while admitting to his involvement in bribery schemes related to the FIFA scandal. He is scheduled to be sentenced next April.
Meanwhile, the NASL has cut off its last connection to Traffic Sports by dissolving the company’s investments in the league. More from The Telegraph:
Traffic continued to own a significant stake of NASL Class B shares throughout the corruption scandal and the financial ties between the NASL and Traffic had proved difficult and time-consuming to untangle.
But, in the NASL’s resolve to attract new investors, the official break between the two companies – which was finalised this week – should significantly help expansion plans.
“The NASL has been working to dissolve its last remaining tie to Traffic Sports for some time now, and today we can confirm that we have accomplished that,” said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson in a statement.
“We believe that this development removes doubts that potential partners could have, and we think it will be instrumental in our efforts to expand the league. It also shows the commitment and resolve of our current ownership group.”
Davidson was suspended from his role with the NASL board of governors in May 2015, and was replaced by the Jacksonville Armada FC’s Mark Frisch in September of that year.
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