The National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announced Thursday morning that co-founder and top official Peter Wilt has resigned from his position with the league. NISA, its teams and Club 9 Sports, its consultant, will now take up the joint task of finding Wilt’s replacement.

Wilt, who helped get notable clubs like the Chicago Fire, Chicago Red Stars and Indy Eleven off the ground, had hoped to launch NISA at the Division III level and eventually branch out into two leagues with promotion and relegation between them. According to Thursday’s press release, those ideals still remain the league’s stated goals in Wilt’s absence.

“I wish the NISA teams and new leadership well,” Wilt said in the release announcing the formation of a committee to seek new leadership. “I am proud of the strong vision we developed and now others will need to carry it forward. I am hopeful that my stepping away will allow the disparate open system groups to unify around a shared vision.”

Wilt’s next endeavor will be heading up Madison Pro Soccer, where he’ll serve as Big Top Events’ managing director, per the release. His new project will be bringing a USL/USL D3 club to Madison, Wis.

And here’s the bigger news – Peter Wilt will help bring in Madison’s TBA @USL team: RIP soccer Twitter.https://t.co/3bEUPPoP9g — Nipun Chopra (@NipunChopra7) May 17, 2018

“We have compiled a list of candidates with Peter’s help and will quickly narrow it to a short list before identifying the new leadership of the League,” Club 9 Sports managing partner John Prutch said in the release.

Whether NISA can survive the loss of its most prominent ambassador remains to be seen, but it’s obviously cause for concern, especially given the abrupt timing of Wilt’s departure. Today’s announcement might spell the beginning of the end for NISA.

Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.

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