In a press release from NISA, the league announced that Bay Cities FC has “suspended operations for the balance of the 2022 season due to financial constraints. Bay Cities home match versus Cal United Strikers set for this weekend has been canceled. NISA and the club are now focused on finding a new primary team owner.”

The announcement confirms the reports we had been given by connected sources this week, regarding the financial situation of Bay Cities. In the press release, Commissioner Prutch commented that “We are definitely disappointed that Bay Cities FC needed to make this decision. This is difficult for everyone across the NISA landscape.”

The key part of the announcement is the move NISA is now making from a split table (East and West) to a single table wall 8 remaining clubs. Also “the standings have been revised using an average-points per game total (points earned divided by matches played).” Unlike in the Valley United situation, all results from matches played involving Bay Cities FC will remain in place. The playoff picture will now consist of the top six clubs with the top two clubs earning a bye.

The league is apparently reeling and we’ve heard some chatter that many in the front office are demoralized at the exit of multiple clubs mid-season. We’ll continue to monitor the situation as the season progresses.

- Dan Vaughn