After formally announcing four of its inaugural season rosters last week, the International Swimming League (ISL) held a press conference this afternoon to announce rosters for the final four teams – New York (NY) Breakers, Los Angeles (LA) Current, Team Iron, and London Roar.
While portions of the European rosters (Team Iron and London Roar) may have already been public knowledge from one-by-one announcements via social media posts, today’s announcement rounds out the rosters.
The majority of swimming stars from around the world have signed with a team; however, there are still several who have not – for unknown reasons that will vary from individual to individual. Most notably on the United States’ side, 2016 Olympic gold medalists Caeleb Dressel and Simone Manuel are absent from any roster as of today. That’s not to say that either of them, or any of the athletes listed below, will not have the opportunity in the future to sign with a team.
Other notable absentees from the United States include: Gunnar Bentz, Conor Dwyer, Robert Howard, Tate Jackson, Allison Schmitt, Micah Sumrall, and Dana Vollmer among others.
Other notable international absentees include: Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), James Wilby (GBR), Bruno Fratus (BRA), Mehdy Metella (FRA), Piero Codia (ITA), Andrii Govorov (UKR), Tamas Kenderesi (HUN), Mack Horton (AUS), Grant Irvine (AUS), Bradley Woodward (AUS), Josh Beaver (AUS), Shane Ryan (IRE), Pernille Blume (DEN), Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA), Erin Gallagher (RSA), and Svetlana Chimrova (RUS) among others.
As a reminder, the ISL format will be in short course meters (SCM) and will not include distance events (400 IM, 800/1,500 free), thus explaining the absence of an abundance of distance swimmers not as well-suited to the format.
Pretty surprised that Nicholas Santos isn’t on any team yet. After all, the meets will be swum SCM and he is the WR holder in the 50 fly. He can also be useful on the relays and split sub 50 sec 100 fly with a flying start.
He has a doping ding, so he’s not eligible.
Dressel is going for training can after world and getting ready for tokyo olympic so i guess that is the biggest reason why he is not signing with ISL. He said that earlier this year. Im sure he will not compete in any competitions after worlds before 2020
He said in an interview with Swimswam at a meet in Atlanta that he was going to swim ISL.
NY breakers need to sign Mehdy Metella
Dean?
Has not gone Pro yet
#1 draft pick
Robert Howard is the hottest free Agent available. Heard he may own and compete for an expansion team in Alabama. That or sign for at least a million.
There are rumors of him and a few other notables in early stages of planning for the XSL.
Kawhi 🤔
Blume was listed on the NY Breakers roster on Michael Andrew’s instagram post.
Is it just me, or does the ISL remind anyone else of the 1970s show “ABC’s Battle of the Network Stars” featuring Howard Cosell?
Here’s a video of a swimming relay: https://youtu.be/-QKP5BzrPG8
Michael Andrew just included Pernille Blume on his NY Breakers roster
Ok, now my favorite team.