Case 1:17-cv-05495-MKB-ST Document 26-5 Filed 10/16/17 Page 142 of 168 PageID #:

1690

September 3, 201 7

Rishi Sehgal
interim Commissioner
North American Soccer League
112 West 34tb Street
New York, NY 10120

Re: 2018 NASL Professional League Standards Application

Dear Rishi:

This letter follows my conversation with you on September I, 2017, following the decision of the Board of
Directors of the United States Soccer Federation, Inc. Specifically, the Board voted not to approve the
application of the North American Soccer League ("NASL") for 2018 Division ll Men's Outdoor League
status. As you know, the Board provisionally approved the NASL's application in 2017 with the
understanding the NASL would satisfy the Professional League Standards for 2018, or at a minimum, show
material progress toward compliance and provide a definitive plan for achieving compliance. As of
September I , 2017, NASL was not able to provide the Board with assurances it would have greater than
eight teams for the 2018 season, a team in the central time zone, or any plan as to how it would come into
full compliance with the Federation's professional league standards. NASL still requires two critical league
waivers in order to compete as a Division ll league for 20 18. These are the same waivers requested for the
2017 season.

The Board has asked me to communicate that its decision does not prevent NASL from re-applying as a
Division lU league, and we hereby invite you to do so on or before October 2, 20 17. In order to be
considered, this application must include a concrete plan indicating how and when the NASL intends to
come into full compliance with the Federation's Professional League Standards for Division ill.

You also requested an update on the application ofthe United Soccer League ("USL"). In the interest of
transparency, we can tell you that the Board has delayed its decision on USL's 20 18 application and allowed
USL until October 2, 2017, to amend its application for Division ll status in order to provide a definitive
plan for bringing its teams into compliance with the Professional League Standards.

The foregoing does not waive any rights of the Federation, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.

ydia Wahlke
General Counsel
United States Soccer Federation, lnc.

cc: Sunil Gulati

Dan Flynn
JeffL'Hote
Russel Sauer
Case 1:17-cv-05495-MKB-ST Document 26-5 Filed 10/16/17 Page 144 of 168 PageID #:
1692

September 3, 2017

Alec Papadakis
Chief Executive Officer
United Soccer League
171 5 N Westshore Blvd, Suite 825
Tampa. FL 33607

Re: 2018 USL Professional Lea&ue Standards Application

Dear Alec:

This letter follows my conversation with you on September 1, 2017, following the decision of the Board of
Directors of the United States Soccer Federation, Inc. As you know, the Board provisionally approved the
application of the United Soccer League ("USL") in 2017, with the understanding USL would meet the
Professional League Standards by the end of 2017. As of August 15, 2017, USL still required 21 team
waivers. While the Board recognizes that substantial progress has been made since your 2017 application,
the Board remains concerned at the large number ofteam waivers USL still needs.

Accordingly, and as we discussed on September 1, the Board has delayed its decision on USL's 2018
application and has allowed USL until October 2. 2017, to amend its application for Division n status in
order to provide a definitive plan for bringing its teams into compliance with the Professional League
Standards.

The foregoing does not waive any rights of the Federation, all of which are hereby expressly reserved.

<tia Wahlke
General Counsel
United States Soccer Federation, Inc.

cc: Sunil Gulati

Dan Flynn
JeffL'Hote
Russel Sauer
Scott Evans
Andrew Bell
Jim McPhilliamy
Jeff Berding
Nick Ragain
Frank Yallop
Tiago Lopes
Case 1:17-cv-05495-MKB-ST Document 26-5 Filed 10/16/17 Page 145 of 168 PageID #:
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Alec Papadakis
September 3, 2017
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