Bullfrog Owner to Join New Pro League

Bullfrog owner Maury Silver and Roller Hockey International founder Dennis Murphy announced Wednesday that they will join with nine potential franchise owners to form a new professional in-line hockey league that will begin play in June.

The new league’s first meeting is Jan. 10 in Los Angeles. Franchises are proposed for Anaheim; Hartford, Conn.; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Long Island, N.Y.; New Jersey; New York; Miami; San Jose, and possibly Vancouver, Canada.

Silver and Murphy have been at odds with Larry King, RHI chief executive officer, since King used $320,000 of league money last season to keep the Ottawa franchise afloat. As a result, RHI had to borrow money to make player playoff payments, which arrived as much as two months late.

King has acknowledged that RHI is broke, but said by telephone Wednesday he expects to have league meetings the first week of January and intends to open RHI play with “six to 10 teams.”