The End of the VIP Era?

The Emperors Club - Spring 2011

One of the biggest developments of this early offseason is the rumored break up of the most winningest team in league history, The Emperors Club. It's reported that internal conflicts between team founders Brent Wentworth (3rd Person Alert!) and George Kiriazidis have lead to the split. It's said that the dispute stems from a nasty ongoing argument in their fantasy baseball league over a trade for Toronto Blue Jays left handed pitcher Ricky Romero that fell through.

The VIPs have truly been a dynasty within the league. The Emperors Club have played WAKA Kickball in VA Peninsula since the Fall of 2007 (8 seasons), have amassed an all time regular season record of 70-12-6 (0.821) and have won 4 Wentworth Trophys (Spring 2008, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010).  Most recently, in the Spring, the VIPs went 10-1-1 and earned the regular season championship, but fell short of making the finals after being bounced by JFK in the final four.

The VIPs were founded in the Fall of 2007, under the original name,
Bad Newz Kennelz.

Wentworth, along with 1B Patrick Jones and OF/Ch John LaNeave have already signed on with Jeffrey Scott and Tracy Colby on the expansion team, Shake N Bake. It remains to be seen if any other members of The Emperors Club will join them or sign elsewhere. No other members of the Spring 2011 side have registered to play as of the time of this post.

Wentworth and Jones have already signed
a contract with Shake N Bake after the Spring
season ended.

"It's been nothing but an honor and a pleasure being a VIP over the past four years," Wentworth quoted himself as saying, "There will never be another team like The Emperors Club. While all good things do come to an end, I wish George and the rest of the team well in all of their future endeavors. I'm excited to join SnB and look forward to meeting on the kickball field." (Such a PC answer!)

When asked about whether he plans to continue operating the club under the VIP name, start a new team, or join with another group, Kiriazidis had no comment. Currently, he is registered and owns the friend group, "I Dunno".

While the team's future may be unclear, the plans to compete in the Founders Cup World Championship of Kickball in October is unaffected. The Emperors Club will be representing VA Peninsula in the tournament in Vegas.

Stay tuned to the VA Peninsula GMOT for more developments and coverage of the situation in the offseason.