NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
3 June 2003

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER PROSPECTS FOR HARRISBURG STILL ALIVE

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed today said the prospect of having a major league soccer franchise based in Harrisburg, playing at the Farm Show Arena for the next season, remain “very much alive.”

Reed said the withdrawal of a potential ownership group, led by Eric Pettis, an area financial consultant, “should not be construed as a final notice that there will not be major league soccer in Pennsylvania’s Capital City.” He said the local group was unable to come up with sufficient financial resources to meet League requirements.

“Active discussions are occurring with a separate group. We may well have good news on this matter before the month’s end,” the Mayor said. Until final details are worked out, no further details will be released. “Suffice it to say that there remains high interest on the part of others to have a thriving new franchise in Harrisburg. Properly capitalized with strong ownership and front office management and marketing, there is strong belief that Central Pennsylvania’s market will respond well to a dynamic new franchise.”

Reed said the thanks to state Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff and Governor Ed Rendell, the lease held by the previous Harrisburg Heat franchise is transferable to a new ownership group at the Farm Show.

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