PHOENIX — Nine-year-old Keyoni De Leon dreams of making it to the National Football League (NFL), but lately he doesn't know where or when his team will be able to play football next.
"He was in tears, you know. He was really upset that something like this could happen," Sharee De Leon, Keyoni's mother, said.
De Leon told 12News the league her son plays for, Arizona NYS Tackle Football, stopped scheduling games in the middle of the season.
"Our team alone has had like three bye weeks this season," De Leon said.
Attorney Chris Dutkiewicz is representing the league's owner, James Vieth, according to a post on social media.
Dutkiewicz confirmed the league is shutting down and dissolving as Vieth is expected to file for personal and business bankruptcy.
Court documents show Vieth previously filed for bankruptcy multiple times.
"I just feel accountability goes a long way," De Leon said.
Parents paid hundreds of dollars at the beginning of the season for their kids to play.
De Leon said that includes jersey, field and light fees.
Parents and coaches met on Sunday night to figure out how to reschedule games without Vieth.
"We're trying to scramble together as an organization but it's really hard," De Leon said.
De Leon said their hands are tied after schools and referees allegedly went unpaid for weeks by the league.
"We just want these kids to play and play their heart out and not have to worry about all of this that's going on right now," De Leon said.
12News reached out to Vieth and his attorney but did not immediately receive a response.
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