New York Cosmos return to professional soccer

13 July 2012 | Posted in Sports Properties, Soccer, North America | By Tom Love

The North American Soccer League's (NASL) board of governors have unanimously approved the readmission of iconic soccer franchise New York Cosmos.

The announcement will see the Cosmos - now owned by an international partnership led by Seamus O’Brien - make their debut in the second-tier soccer league in 2013 after a 30-year absence from professional sport.

The original Cosmos team were once the biggest brand in American soccer. In the 1970s the Cosmos' backing by Warner Communications president Steve Ross enabled the team to sign some of the world's biggest soccer starts including Brazilian striker Pelé, Italian Giorgio Chinaglia and West German sweeper Franz Beckenbauer.

The club's return to the NASL soccer is part of a long-term aspiration to join Major League Soccer (MLS).

• New York Cosmos announce management buyout

"We are delighted to return to our historic home with the NASL and bring the New York Cosmos back to the playing field," said O'Brien. "We are committed to running the franchise with the highest possible standards on and off the field, and look forward to putting together a competitive and entertaining team our fans can be proud of.”

NASL Commissioner David Downs added, "We are extremely proud to welcome the New York Cosmos to the North American Soccer League. As we continue to expand the league and help grow professional soccer in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean, the Cosmos brand and their strong ownership group are a perfect fit with us. The history of the Cosmos and soccer in the New York City area are intertwined. Bringing the Cosmos into the NASL is a logical next step as we embrace the heritage of our own past and now reunite the Cosmos, Strikers, Rowdies and several markets with ties to the NASL’s early days. Most importantly, we look forward to the Cosmos enhancing the quality of our league both on and off the field.”

NASL chairman of the board of governors said, “The team owners are thrilled to welcome the Cosmos back to their birthplace and home, the NASL. The Cosmos ownership group’s decision to join the NASL is the ultimate validation of our efforts to bring back the league which laid the foundation for soccer in North America. We look forward to respectfully honouring the legacy of the NASL and Cosmos of the 1970’s – 1980’s as we grow today’s NASL and play our role in driving the further development and maturation of soccer in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.”