AEG Will Sell its Share of the Dynamo

Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns 50 percent of the Houston Dynamo franchise, will begin actively looking for a local buyer for its share of the team after the Dynamo's new downtown stadium opens in May.

5 months ago Zach Woosley 21 comments 1 recs |

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YEEEESSSSS!!!!!!!

I know quite a number of us hoped that it would happen but its just nice to know its out in the open.

Anyone here have Roman Abramovitch-type money hanging around?

Will AEG take a post-dated check?

by Michael_D on Dec 14, 2011 9:40 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

I so wish I was rich right now...

This would be a very worthwhile investment.

-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog

by Fuzion on Dec 14, 2011 10:56 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I'm very curious

to see who those names that are asking around are…maybe its Brener looking to up his stake? I know Hoya has money, but not “ownership” money. I’d say you need a net worth of $500MM+ to apply. I realize the payroll is currently only at what, $4MM but with the stadium opening and the naming rights its a new era that is going to require someone with deeper pockets willing to invest in the talent it takes to put you at the top of the 3 main competitions available to MLS teams. We need at least one damn good-to-great DP and perhaps another, plus a bit more depth at some spots (LM and LB). All in all, I’d say payroll next year should be around $6-8MM to be a favorite. We’ll see what happens but these are heady times my friends!

by Michael_D on Dec 15, 2011 7:51 AM CST up reply actions

“Because AEG also owns the Los Angeles Galaxy, there was a conflict when the two teams met for the MLS Cup championship last month”

Does this mean Dalls and Columbus have to meet in the final for the Hunt Sports Group to be pressured to sell one of their teams?

by K61 on Dec 15, 2011 7:54 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I suspect MLS is pushing HSG to divest one their clubs, just might not be as public as the AEG news at this point.

--
Managing Editor of Dynamo Theory

by Zach Woosley on Dec 15, 2011 9:47 AM CST up reply actions

I'd agree

Though he’s not perfect, I will give Garber credit for shaping the direction of the league towards individual team ownership rather than the HSG/AEG model that dominated the league for most of its existence (and yes, I’m aware why that was and I’m not arguing it, its what was needed at the time). To me that points to a real maturation in the league and it can only spell good fortune for MLS in the years to come. I’m still curious to see (and I know I’m not alone) who the interested parties are…

by Michael_D on Dec 15, 2011 10:41 AM CST up reply actions

Just to ruin everybody's day...

You know, there have always been those rumors that David Beckham’s contract had a clause in it that allowed him to become an MLS owner.

>Ducking.<

"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie

by Martek on Dec 15, 2011 11:58 AM CST reply actions

GET BEHIND ME SATAN

May as well tell me there’s no Santa Claus either…

by Michael_D on Dec 15, 2011 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

This...

would require the fans band together to protest like Liverpool fans did. I think Becks is more interested in a new market though.

Also how does this change our approach to DP’s? AEG gave us permission and told us to go big. Nothing’s happened, but will the new owner be willing to sign a DP?

Most importantly the new owner must trust in Dom. Of everything that I want for Houston as a club, number one of those is to keep Dom. I don’t mean to say short term either; Dom is the long term future of this club. It’s rare that a coach stays so long with a team, but if anyone in MLS turns into an American Sir Alex, In Dom We Trust.

by foreverorange25 on Dec 15, 2011 4:25 PM CST up reply actions

This

is why its critical that AEG is touting that the interested potential suitors are local. Someone who’s been around the community and hopefully been following the club (I would hope that if you’re interested in buying ownership of a sporting club you would’ve read up on them) would know the influence and history of Dom and this club and would hopefully leave it intact. Of course, he (or she) who has the gold makes the rules but if they want this club to continue to be successful its best to leave things be and just sign the checks.

I also hope AEG’s words-but-no-actions approach was simply their desire to get the stadium built. As an entertainment company I can see why that was their primary goal: this is an entertainment venue that they would own (or at least retain rights to). Why commit to something extra when you do just enough to get your new revenue stream online? I’m not thrilled about AEG basically leaving us to our devices but I get it; at the same time, I’m also happy they’re putting it out there this early that they want out of Dynamo ownership. Hopefully we can find someone with the pockets to get those DPs, and I would imagine they won’t be gigantic signings but if we grab a guy or two who costs $2-9MM (combined) that’s fair and I’d be happy. Since we’re not getting Nguyen (I sad about that) unless through a trade (sorry Boz…showing the cute kid adds to my guilt), we still should be looking for a bona-fide CAM and a winger/striker. I’m looking at guys from Flu and Corinthians but someone with quality experience in South America would do as well.

But I do agree: In Dom We Trust :)

by Michael_D on Dec 15, 2011 4:40 PM CST up reply actions

Agreed

It would be great if that local owner understands and follows the club, but the cynic in me thinks it will just be some rich guy looking for a good investment.

I also think that AEG talking about DP’s might have just been talk, but I’ve been happy without a DP before. I’d have no problem with no DP, but I definitely want a CAM, RM and hopefully someone else up top. Offload Weaver, and Watson, sign Alvaro Sanchez (remember him), Jesus Datolo (needs out of Espanyol, about to become free agent), and I have no clue who up top.

If only Tevez weren’t so intent on going back to South America. If only he weren’t so expensive and maybe we could afford him.

by foreverorange25 on Dec 15, 2011 5:04 PM CST up reply actions

Uh oh

foreverorange25, you just said the magic word, the one that begins with T and ends with Z. Michael_D might not ever speak to you again.

HOLD HIM DOWN BOYS!! GET THE STRAIT JACKET! SHOW HIM A PICTURE OF ALEX DIXON. THAT OUGHTA CALM HIM DOWN.

You don’t know what you’ve unleashed.

"We don't care who finishes second." -- Celtic's Peter Lowrie

by Martek on Dec 15, 2011 8:20 PM CST up reply actions

DEAR. SWEET. LORD

foreverorange, you seem like a good guy and all. I like your comments and what you bring to the site but let me give you some advice: AVOID THAT MAN.

Let me put it to you like this: I’d rather have Becks buy the team and put in Posh as GM before I’d sign Tevez. He’s like Watson on crack with some meth sprinkled in. DO. NOT. WANT.

/breathes into brown paper bag
//looks at poster of Dixon

by Michael_D on Dec 15, 2011 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

Watson:Houston::Balotelli:City

At least with Tevez you get something worth while. Either way if it worries you that much, let me assure that he would most likely never come to Houston due to the fact that he is demanding a move to South America.

If not Tevez (hypothetically) then who? Forlan? Maybe Ibrahimovic (I heard somewhere that he’s considering retiring) I’m looking for someone who might have a chance at hold up play with Ching and Costly gone. Why don’t we just scare everyone and buy Crouch for Davis to deliver to?

by foreverorange25 on Dec 15, 2011 11:56 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Believe me

as Martek said we don’t want to go there…I’ll just simply say that there’s no doubt about Tevez’ level of talent, its all the batsh** baggage that goes along with it. Frankly I’d LOVE Balotelli before Tevez but again, we’ll leave it at that.

If we’re looking abroad (Europe or England) and we’re wanting to replace Ching with a like-for-like, we already have Bruin who is a Ching-lite (has more pace but is still a hold-up man). But if you’re wanting the physical type who can win balls and hold up play and score then I’d definitely say Kenwyne Jones from Stoke. That dude is SOLID.

But to me that’s not so much the issue: the real issue, IMHO, is the CAM slot and either a quick forward or a right winger who can basically double as a striker. And typically your going to find the good ones either in Spain or somewhere in South America. I’ve got my eye on Luis Ramirez from Corinthians as a CAM (and relatively cheap DP as I think he would cost about $800K)…coming off a championship season in the Serie A I think he would match up great with Camargo. As for striker, I’m thinking Elton from Vasco de Gama (also Brazilian) but his price is a bit steeper at around $1.1MM..but he had 11 goals and 3 assists in 28 matches.

by Michael_D on Dec 16, 2011 8:48 AM CST up reply actions

CAM

has always been the problem, but I’m not sure Kinnear realizes. From my understanding his priorities this offseason are RM and striker. At attacking mid, there’s tons of people who could fill that role, but I still say that if I’m Kinnear, you go after Alvaro Sanchez. He’s already trained here, can’t be that expensive, and looks like a good fit.

I don’t think Bruin is Ching like at all. Bruin is big, and relatively mobile, but his game isn’t with his back to goal holding the ball up to create time and space for a team mate. I wouldn’t consider any of those forwards I mentioned a realistic signing with the exception of maybe Crouch. Kenwyne Jones would be a better signing than Crouch, but we really should just sign that beast named Heskey…

by foreverorange25 on Dec 16, 2011 4:02 PM CST up reply actions

No to T----z ever

I will not just protest, but I will drive my happy ass up to Orange HQ and picket their asses. Never in Orange. NEVER

-- "...I was sick, napping, and then woke up and came to the computer to read a note from the Gingered Angel of Doom..." Martek - Dynamo Theory Blog

by Fuzion on Dec 15, 2011 9:22 PM CST up reply actions

I would drive you

and then push you out of the way so I could be the first to picket. And burn his hideous “clothing line” just to rile him up (but then of course we’d chalk it up to a “misunderstanding” and “language barrier” issues and then he’d sulk and stay in the back of his Hummer or Maybach until I apologize. It wouldn’t end well)

by Michael_D on Dec 15, 2011 9:58 PM CST up reply actions