The USL League One terminated its franchise agreement with the Northern Colorado Hailstorm, a decision announced on November 15, 2024. This followed a lawsuit filed by the Hailstorm against the league for non-payment of their $100,000 prize for winning the inaugural USL Jägermeister Cup in September 2024. The league's statement cited a commitment to upholding organizational standards and protecting club ownership interests.
The Hailstorm described the termination as an unexpected and unilateral decision. Despite the termination, they intend to remain operational and are actively exploring alternative leagues for the upcoming season. Their 2024 season saw success with a 12-5-5 record and 41 points, securing second seed in the playoffs before losing in the quarterfinals.
While the league hasn't commented on a direct link, the timing of the termination following the Hailstorm's lawsuit raises questions about a possible connection between the two events.