Since taking control of the team in September 1999, the city has lost $892,000 during the two years it has run the franchise. Despite a 50 percent rise in attendance, a competitive team, and increase in corporate sponsorship, the Wolves' ultimate success as an A-League franchise in the foreseeable future remains dim. Player cost is the main drain on the Wolves' budget and moving down a division will at the very least halve the player budget to under $100,000. The average A-League franchise has a player budget of around $240,000, with some of the teams' payrolls approaching half a million dollars.

In addition to these expenses, the Wolves currently have to take out workmen's compensation insurance on the players' contracts; the premiums on this season's players were more than triple what they were in the past, according to team officials.

In D3, those costs would be reduced. The team would also save on travel (most of the opponents are based in the Northeast) and operating costs (the D3 schedule is 20 games compared with 32 in the A-League).

The D3 Pro League is the lowest level of professional soccer in the United Soccer Leagues with the next level up being the A-League. The league is affiliated with Major League Soccer and the Wolves will continue to feed players to MLS or receive them on loan.

Attempts to contact Wolves GM Shawn Kowalewski on Thursday night were unsuccessful.

The Wolves averaged approximately 2,000 fans a game at Willow Brook Park, which would put them near the D3 average. With that attendance figure, the Wolves would dramatically improve their bottom line while keeping a pro soccer club in the city. The move to D3 is something that many teams in USL have done, with the Boston Bulldogs being the most recent team to move down this past season.

In 2002, the Wolves will join Nashville as A-League franchises that have moved down a division and could possibly be joined by one or two more teams before the season starts.

With a move down to D3, the Wolves expect to be able to field a competitive team that is fiscally sound for years to come. The caliber of play is similar to that of the A-League and neither the league office or the team believes the market will differentiate between the caliber of play.

The potential sale to an Argentine soccer club is still in the works and the sale doesn't hinge on the Wolves being a part of the A-League. The Argentine club is looking to develop young players and D3 would be the perfect place to put players and introduce them to the pro game. The Wolves' financial future would also become more stable, making the team more attractive to possible suitors.

Phone calls to city officials about the move were left unreturned Thursday evening.