INDOOR SOCCER

Forward Paul Wright’s bid for free agency will be heard today after last-minute trade talks between the Sockers--who waived Wright during ownership transition--and the Blast--who claimed him--failed Thursday.

A disagreement between Wright and the Blast has festered since July. In September, Wright notified the Blast he would not report to camp and the Blast suspended him. He then filed a grievance that will be heard this morning.

Socker Coach Ron Newman said a trade was attempted, but that the Blast did not want players or draft picks and instead asked for “too much money.”

Blast General Manager Drew Forrester would not confirm that money was involved in trade talks, but said, “that’s a possibility.”

“The problem,” Forrester continued, “is they feel like Paul is their player and so they figure why should they have to give up something for him? Our position is he’s not (the Sockers’) player and if (the Sockers) want him we have to be fairly compensated.”

Newman also said he continued talks with agents for U.S. national team midfielders and former Sockers Brian Quinn and Hugo Perez and that both parties still have interest in moonlighting with the Sockers.