Major League Softball To Debut in 2011

The Major League Softball Association (MLSA) is taking men's slow-pitch softball to the professional level. The MLSA features men's professional softball as it has never been played before, in minor league ballparks and college stadiums exclusiv

The MLSA style of softball will emphasize speed, defense and athleticism. When combined with outstanding offensive performances, our fans will be entertained with constant action and excitement. This combination will add a different dimension to the game of men's slow-pitch softball not widely associated with the game today. The MLSA will combine the skill of baseball with the continuous excitement and the constant action of slow-pitch softball, creating a sport to be enjoyed by fans of all ages.

The success of the MLSA will be accomplished with planned, controlled growth and exposure. The MLSA will take full advantage of the marketing potential for professional sports; more specifically, the game of men's slow-pitch softball. The strength of the MLSA lies in its ability to bring together all the principals associated with the game of slow-pitch softball. These include Club owners, players, product manufacturers and company sponsors who will work collectively toward a common goal - the success of the MLSA and the growth of men's slow-pitch softball as a true professional sport. The MLSA is assembling a group of successful sports, entertainment and business executives who will insure that this sport does indeed get to the next level.

The MLSA is the last true professional team sport to be introduced to the American public and will begin its INAUGURAL SEASON in the Spring of 2011. The MLSA will consist of a maximum of thirty Clubs. There will be three Conferences - Eastern - Central - Western; with ten Clubs in each Conference. Each Conference will be divided into two five-Club Divisions - Northern and Southern.

Club owners will come from current and former NFL Players, Major League Baseball Players, and NBA Players. Targeted ownership candidates also include show business personalities, current and former sports executives, successful businessmen, entrepreneurs and possibly current minor league baseball Club owners. They already have a venue and now have the opportunity to use their stadiums even more. The Players and Owners in the MLSA will exhibit pride, professionalism, commitment and dedication; the same basic values that are indicative of the work ethic of all those involved in the growth and development of the MLSA. These values serve as the cornerstone upon which the MLSA was founded. In order for the MLSA to be successful, its Clubs and Players must take an active role in their community. It is of paramount importance for the players to be easily accessible to the fans.

The MLSA believes in the basic premise that this game truly does belong to the fans. In smaller markets we recommend that a minimum 25% ownership of each Club be made available to the fans. This Limited Partnership would be comprised of a maximum of 200 individuals. Majority Ownership would be a minimum of 51% with an additional 24% ownership to be sold or retained at the discretion of the majority ownership. In larger markets we recommend that a minimum 35% ownership of each Club be made available to the fans. This Limited Partnership would be comprised of a maximum of 300 individuals. Majority Ownership would be a minimum of 51% with an additional 14% ownership to be sold or retained at the discretion of the Majority Ownership. Fan Ownership would be achieved through the purchase of 15 season tickets. The fan can then either retain or sell all or a portion of the season tickets at his or her discretion. These programs will not only create an excellent fan base they will also generate substantial operating revenue. Can you think of a better way to create a great source of advertising or public relations for your Club than having 100's of "owners" / ambassadors promoting your franchise? With the exception of the Green Bay Packers football team (which is publicly traded) there is nothing like this in professional sports.

Each Player in the MLSA must sign a Uniform Player's Contract (UPC) with a predetermined base salary plus optional Performance Bonuses. This Contract will also contain a complete Revenue Sharing Program. A Player's earnings, in part, will be the direct result of his performance and that of his Club. Players and Owners - together - will truly have a vested interest in the success of the Club; not only from a competitive point of view, but from a business and financial standpoint as well.

The MLSA has written a comprehensive Club Operations Manual containing all of the pertinent information required to manage a Club under the guidelines set forth by the MLSA. We have, in essence, created a complete turnkey sports franchise. If Clubs are required to operate in essentially the same manner from a business perspective and a hard salary cap is strictly enforced, we feel that every Club in the MLSA should be competitive with one another. Club parity is a major key to success. Adhering to this philosophy makes our sport much more exciting for the fans and it affords Club Owners the opportunity to operate a fiscally sound and responsible business.

As you can see, Major League Softball is truly.... A GREAT NEW GAME!

MLSA MISSION STATEMENT

To provide the MLSA Franchises with a complete turn-key system through a comprehensive Club Operations Manual to insure necessary operational standards and requirements are followed. This will provide uniformity and stability within the league and will allow the Clubs the opportunity to focus more on the marketing and promotional aspects of their respective Clubs. Strict guidelines set forth by the MLSA will keep the operating budget for Clubs in the $ 950,000. to $ 1,200,000. range the first season. Planned, controlled growth thereafter will serve to insure that Clubs will not only be competitive on the field with one another but will have an opportunity to be financially sound and fiscally responsible; something lacking throughout professional sports today.

A major priority of the MLSA is to keep the game very affordable for the whole family. This will be achieved through low ticket prices, control of concession, souvenir and parking prices wherever and whenever possible.

MLSA OBJECTIVES AND GOALS

The MLSA's PRIMARY OBJECTIVE - recognition of men's slow-pitch softball as a legitimate professional sport and the MLSA recognized as a well respected, first class professional sports organization.

Our ULTIMATE GOAL - to nurture and develop the game of men's professional slow-pitch softball into a full-time professional sport within three years. This will be accomplished with planned, controlled growth and exposure. The MLSA will take full advantage of the marketing potential for professional sports; more specifically, the game of men's slow-pitch softball. The strength of the MLSA lies in its ability to bring together all the principals associated with the game of slow-pitch softball. These include Club owners, players, product manufacturers and company sponsors who will work collectively toward a common goal - the success of the MLSA and the growth of men's slow-pitch softball as a true professional sport. The MLSA is assembling a team of successful sports, entertainment and business executives who will insure that this sport does indeed get to the next level.

Well-managed Clubs with Owners having a solid financial foundation coupled with a strong MLSA Management Team that will continually monitor and evaluate their performance is essential to the success and acceptance of the MLSA in the professional sports arena.

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Tags: Men's Pro Slow-Pitch Softball, Men's Pro Softball, Pro Softball, Professional Softball


About Major League Softball Association, Inc.

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Michael Callahan
Press Contact, Major League Softball Association, Inc.
Major League Softball Association, Inc.
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Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418