Salary Cap Causes Gorsek and Hirmez to Head for Lazers
SAN DIEGO — Goalkeeper Jim Gorsek, the only Socker with six indoor championship rings, and midfielder Waad Hirmez, who scored more points than any other player during this year’s Major Indoor Soccer League playoffs, have agreed to contracts to play with the Los Angeles Lazers next season.
Because of the league’s new $898,000 salary cap, the Sockers said they could not afford to keep either player.
Gorsek said he agreed to a one-year deal with the Lazers after it became apparent that, because of the salary cap, he would be unable to stay in San Diego. Gorsek took a pay cut before the beginning of last season because the Sockers assured him that his salary would return to $77,000 for the 1988-89 season. Because of the salary cap, however, the Sockers were unable to keep their promise.
“I’m really glad something worked out for Jimmy,” Socker President Ron Cady said. “Because of the money, we just couldn’t work out a way to keep him.”
Gorsek, 32, came to the Sockers in 1981 and became the team’s all-time leader in victories with 84. He was 21-8 last season, but during the playoffs, he took a back seat to Zoltan Toth.
“Of course I’ll miss San Diego, but everything’s settled in Los Angeles,” Gorsek said. “I’ve been a part of six championship teams, and I hope the championship will follow me to Los Angeles. I have to prove myself all over again now.”
Hirmez, 26, began proving himself this season after he moved from defender to the midfield. He had career highs in goals (30) and assists (23). He scored 24 points in the playoffs and had a hat trick in Game 4 of the MISL championship series when the Sockers eliminated Cleveland, 7-4.
Hirmez grew up in San Diego and attended Point Loma High School, where he was named the county’s player of the year as a senior. He wanted to stay in San Diego, but, like Gorsek, was forced to go elsewhere because of the salary cap.
“The economics of the situation were that the Sockers couldn’t afford to keep a player like Waad,” said David Kessler, Hirmez’s agent. “Maybe someday he can return here.”
The question is: Will there be a league for Gorsek, Hirmez and the other MISL players? According to Ron Fowler, who is attempting to purchase the Sockers, nothing is certain for 1988-89.
Peter W. Bowie, a federal bankruptcy judge, has been asked to rule on Fowler’s $825,000 offer to buy the Sockers. Bowie is expected to rule during a heading at 10 a.m. Friday. So far, the MISL has received commitments from six franchises for next season.
Fowler said he believes the league will go forward only if it has at least eight teams. Tacoma and Chicago, like the Sockers, have until Friday to post their $400,000 letters of credit for next season.
“It is my understanding that if we go forward, Tacoma will also go forward,” Fowler said. “The whole league is tied to having eight teams next season. We need that many to make a balanced schedule and to correctly run things.”
Tacoma President John Best said his franchise’s board of directors will meet Friday morning to discuss the Stars’ future.
“I cannot confirm with them (the Sockers) that we are going to go forward just because they get their sale confirmed,” Best said. “We have, however, been encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by different segments of our community the last few weeks.”
Chicago’s situation, meanwhile, isn’t looking as bright.
“Lee (Stern, the Chicago Sting owner) has remained consistent throughout, saying that we need investors or one buyer to come forward to keep the team here,” said Kenny Stern, Chicago general manager. “I think, at this point, it would be a proper assumption to say our situation doesn’t look too good.”
