Pioneers cease operations for 2010
Published: October 20, 2009
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Pioneers owner Cosmo DiNicola holds up the American Conference Championship trophy.
When the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers were left off the original list of teams slated to begin play in what is believed to be a new and improved Arena Football League in 2010, there was hope the franchise would make the second cut.
For that to happen, owner Cosmo DeNicola had to find a buyer for the organization he put up for sale back in August, three days after the team lost in the af2championship game. Even though DeNicola said he had been in serious negotiations with a prospective local buyer, time has expired and DeNicola could not finalize a deal.
DeNicola announced on Monday that the organization will cease operation and there will be no indoor football played at the Wachovia Arena in 2010. What that means for the future of the franchise remains to be seen, but DeNicola did say it will open the door for future negotiations with other potential buyers in an attempt to bring the team back in 2011.
"What you really need to be in this enviornment is to get tremendous support from financial institutions," DeNicola said. "That market is not friendly for that right now. That was an obstacle that was impossible to leap over to get a buyer for this season. Time just ran out."
The team is moving its offices, the playing surface, dasher boards, netting, football, equipment and office furniture to a storage warehouse in Philadelphia.
DeNicola did say that despite the fact there will be no team for the 2010 season, he was not ruling out the possibility of the Pioneers returning to the field in the future. Whether that means the team is part of the new Arena Football League or another brand, remains to be seen. It hinges on whether or not he can find a buyer. He said with the decision to cease operations for next season, it will allow more potential buyers to come forward and enter negotiations.
"Someone emerged today as a result of them reading (the team won't operate next year)," DeNicola said. "He wasn't able to do it for 2010 but was serious about 2011. It's someone involved in car racing and hockey. There are people out there that may have an interest in the team that knew they couldn't put it together in time for 2010. We are not moving the team anywhere."
The process of cleaning out the team offices will begin in the next two weeks, and once that is complete and everything is moved to Philadelphia, DeNicola said he will begin refunding money to the people who have already paid for season tickets for 2010.
"Everyone will get paid in full, no question," DeNicola said. "It may take four weeks to get everything processed. That process will begin when all of our equipment is in Philadelphia.
2002: The team begins as an expansion franchise playing the the American Conference's East Division. The original ownership consists of a Baltimore-based group which includes NFL legend Johnny Unitas. The team signs a lease to play at the then First Union Arena and the team enjoys great fan support.
2004: The Pioneers go 13-3, clinching the team's first division championship.
2006: During the off-season, Cosmo and Janet DeNicola acquire partial ownership of the team and bring in Rich Ingold to coach. Ingold formerly coached the Quad City Steamrollers in the af2 and was offensive coordinator with the AFL's Dallas Desperados.
2007: Led by quarterback Ryan Vena, the Pioneers start the season with 13 straight wins, finishing the regular season at 13-2 and with the team's second Eastern Division championship. In the playoffs, the Pioneers post three wins at home to win their first American Conference championship and advance to the ArenaCup game, losing to Tulsa.
2008: The DeNicolas acquire full ownership of the team and the team goes 14-2 in the regular season to reach the playoffs for the fifth straight season. The team advances to the Conference semifinals before losing the Tennessee Valley.
2009: After going 13-3 in the regular season, the Pionners advance to their second ArenaCup game, losing to Spokane, 74-27. Shortly afterward, DeNicola announced he was putting the team up for sale and if no buyer could be found he would be forced to fold the franchise. In eight seasons, the Pioneers finished with an overall record of 93-50 with just two losing seasons.
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