It looks like Peter Wilt could be making his return to NISA via the Windy City.
Wilt, a co-founder of the National Independent Soccer Association has applied for NISA expansion in the Chicago market according to a press release on the League website and if approved would begin play during the 2021 Fall season.
“Every member of our investment team believes in what NISA is building in US soccer,” says Wilt. “We plan to work with the people of Chicagoland to inclusively build a diverse, community-based organization that will represent Chicago well and make it a better place for all.”
Wilt is one of the most respected and well-known executives in American soccer. Emphasizing community building and fan engagement models, he has launched more professional soccer clubs than anyone else in history. Among his seven start-ups are Chicago’s two first division clubs, the Chicago Fire (MLS) and Chicago Red Stars (NWSL). He has also launched and operated several lower division clubs including USL Championship’s Indy Eleven and USL League One’s Forward Madison.
In addition to NISA, Wilt has had his hand in a number of start-up soccer projects from top tier to lower-level clubs including the Chicago Fire of MLS, the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL, the Indy Eleven of USLC, and Forward Madison of USL1.
As far as getting approved, I really cannot see Wilt getting denied by the League he co-founded, especially when you consider NISA trying to remain sustainable coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not to mention, it looks like the League will be losing the Oakland Roots to the USL and the continuation of clubs like Stumptown Athletic and Atlanta SC still seem to be up in the air.
