AUDL’s Vancouver Riptide Shutting Down, Owners Moving Team To Portland In 2019

After a 1-13 season and waning community support, the Vancouver Riptide will not return in the 2018 AUDL season. The ownership group, L2 Sports Management, comprised of Rob, Jim, and Mark Lloyd, is moving the franchise to Portland for the 2019 season.

Team co-owner Jim Lloyd announced the news today in a letter, reproduced in full below.

“Late this fall we anticipated that introducing a new local partner to the business would bring greater support from players, the ultimate community and the many volunteers who help every team deliver a great product,” Lloyd wrote. “Unfortunately, that has not happened. This is both a business and a passion and the Riptide owners have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to make the team a success, but it now seems clear we have a product that the BC market does not fully embrace.

“After careful consideration of all options and after in-depth discussions with the AUDL, L2 Sports Management has obtained approval to transfer its territory agreement from Vancouver to Portland, Oregon, to begin play in the 2019 season. We are excited to bring our brand of action packed ultimate to a strong market like Portland and look forward to collaborating with the ultimate community to plan for a successful team launch in 2019.”

Vancouver becomes the 10th AUDL team to fold.

“It is always difficult when we leave a market, but at the same time it is exciting to see what a great ownership group like L2 Sports can do in a city like Portland,” said AUDL Marketing Manager Tim DeByl.

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Here is the full text of the letter from Jim Lloyd: