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| 100-miles Radius Map [Updated] |
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Dear Connecticut Constitution family,
It is with great sadness that we are forced to announce the indefinite suspension of all team operations as of 2:00pm EST this afternoon. This decision comes at an inopportune time as we journey through the inaugural season. This has been a journey dotted with success after success for our team and our franchise. The Connecticut team is one of the premiere franchises in the league both in victories and in fan attendance. The AUDL has sued the Constitution and the Rhode island Rampage and that suit has caused us to spend an enormous amount of money protecting our rights, instead of allowing us to use those funds for our operations.
During May 2012, we became aware of the sale of both the New York City and Boston territories, and together with the Rhode Island owner, we challenged the League to answer why we were not approached about these sales prior to the League selling these territories inasmuch as both of these new teams existed within our owned territories. The territory ownership area is governed by a Territory License Agreement (TLA) that was created, signed and approved by the League. This territory agreement allows us to own an area that includes a 100 mile radius. New York City and Boston are within our territories. We sought answers to our concerns numerous times and felt that the TLA was clear and that no other team could exist in our area. After numerous attempts to get clarification from the League, we suggested that this might need to be addressed by attorneys. Unfortunately, the League decided that instead of taking this to a discussion, they elected to file a suit against us. This lawsuit was filed from Michigan, and includes a number of allegations within their suit. They allege that the contract they wrote doesn't mean what it says, among other items.
We have been forced to retain attorneys in both Connecticut and Michigan to answer their allegations, protect our territory and to seek additional clarification over these claims. The costs to defend this lawsuit have robbed us of necessary operating funds needed to complete our season and caused us to rethink the value of the partnership we sought to create with this League.
The League, almost as quickly as it filed the suit, has stated that it will consider withdrawing the suit and rescind the New York City territory although in almost the same breath the League has offered to withdraw the suit and keep the territory and offer us no compensation for the taking of our territory, a territory that we have cultivated all season. The League continues to be silent about the Boston territory.
Our organization cannot absorb the cost of these attorney fees and continue operational costs. In addition, we have requested that the League reimburse us for the attorney fees and the League has stated that they are not willing to do that. The League has decided to suspend discussions with us and simply report that we 'are unable to finish the season'. We adamantly deny this callous statement.
Therefore, we are forced to indefinitely suspend our operations until the League withdraws the suit, rescinds the territories and makes us whole for these attorney fees. Our team will continue to operate as a unit during this suspension and we are ready to play on and we will continue our season as soon as we can get this issue resolved.
Regrettably,
Bryan Ricci / CEO Connecticut Constitution LLC
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Response posted on July 5, 2012 by AUDL:
Constitution Suspends Operations
AUDL Fans,
A letter was issued today by the Connecticut Constitution indicating that the team is suspending operations indefinitely. As much as we would have preferred to settle the issues internally, their statement merits a response from the league. We do not wish for the case to be debated in the court of public opinion, yet wish to state how the situation came about.
Before the AUDL was ever established, we set out to have teams in Boston, NYC, Hartford and Providence, among others. Our owners in Connecticut and Rhode Island both saw this proposal before and after signing on with the league and as we looked to continue to add teams to the league, were in agreement to get to 16 teams in the Northeast and target these regions. Based on this mutual understanding, the league proceeded to find owners in both Boston and NYC for next season, as these markets are essential for the growth and success of the AUDL. After the start of the season, the Connecticut and Rhode Island owners no longer wanted teams in NYC and Boston, after we already had owners ready to go. Their purchase agreements do indicate that no new teams, beyond what we agreed to at the start, may be placed with a 100 mile radius. However, as we set out as a league we mutually agreed to place teams in these markets both before and after Connecticut and Rhode Island teams came into existence. As part of their insistence that no teams be placed in NYC and Boston, they threatened legal action against the league if these territories were not rescinded. In response, the league filed suit to request judgment as to their radius being enforceable given that they had agreed to the teams previously, because we couldn't have this issue dragging on for months when teams in NYC and Boston have work to do to be ready for next season. We've been working to settle things out of court and were (and still are) hopeful that an agreement would be made shortly.
The AUDL is committed to pushing the sport forward and will continue to do so in the future. We are sorry for the impact that this has on the teams and fans and will work to correct this. Certainly there are many challenges that a new league faces and we are continually grateful for the many people that have supported us along the way.
Sincerely,
Josh Moore, President / American Ultimate Disc League
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2 comments:
Why are you using New Haven as the midpoint for the 100 mile radius from CT? I believe that the team is considered located in Hartford, which places Boston in its radius as well as most of NYC.
You're right, AnonAt11:40AM. CTC's home field is located in New Britain - only 9 miles from Hartford. An updated map will be posted for your viewing pleasure.
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