Confirmed by several sources, including equalizersoccer.com and fourfourtwo.com, expect a formal announcement in the next several days. This move will dominate league headlines just days before the NWSL Draft on January 12, 2017.
Stephen Malik of Cary, North Carolina, will become the owner of the WNY Flash. He represents the FC North Carolina group, which owns the former Carolina RailHawks, now North Carolina FC franchise in the NASL. The North Carolina FC have expressed interest in expansion in the NWSL, as well as placing a bid for MLS and building a new 20,000 seat stadium.