11.   The league hopes otherwise.

12.   The league is hoping to land some major equity partners, concentrating on institutional investors, high net-worth individuals and corporate partners.

13.   The league clearly hopes more advertisers follow this trend.

14.   The league hopes to avoid conflict with the beach tour and even attract some beach players, who could play both.

15.   The league is hoping to rely on the name recognition of American World Cup players to fill out its rosters and attract fan support.

16.   The league can only hope that the two players first listen to their own words about putting winning ahead of self.

17.   The league hopes to respond to the proposal by the end of the week.

18.   The league also hopes to resume negotiations with Nike, who already declined to sponsor it once, but left the door open.

19.   The league hopes to have a decision when their annual spring meeting ends Thursday at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.

20.   The league hopes to use Shea Stadium in New York, but no stadium deals have been made and no players, coaches or administrators have been signed.