The NASL’s future has long been in doubt, and it appears that the league’s top club is having financial issues.
According to a report from Empire of Soccer, the New York Cosmos are set to make cuts both on the field and in the front office following yet another season of dwindling attendance. The report says it would mark the second-straight season of massive cuts, although the upcoming round is much more concerning given the current state of the NASL.
Cosmos players reportedly went two weeks without pay in November leading up to the club’s victory in the league championship. The club has reportedly caught up on a majority of those payments, although several players are reportedly still owed money. The club is reportedly looking to command transfer fees for several players on the roster.
On the front office side, the Cosmos reportedly put 60-to-80 percent of the staff on furlough, with the leave of absence expected to last one week for a majority of those involved. A majority of those temporarily laid off reportedly came from the ticket sales department. Payroll has reportedly been an issue for several months, with several members of the Cosmos front office going several weeks without pay.
In addition, the Comsos have yet to officially announced their stadium situation. After several years at Shuart Stadium, the Cosmos are on the hunt for a new home, with Brooklyn’s MCU Park remaining the reported favorite. To date, the Cosmos have not yet begun accepting ticket deposits for next season, a concerning fact considering the reports of financial issues.
The Cosmos recently topped Indy Eleven in penalty kicks to claim the club’s third NASL crown in four years. However, the league is set to look vastly different next season following the departures of Minnesota United, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Ottawa Fury FC.