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deltox
09-29-2008, 04:41 PM
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60153


Investors in talks to buy share of MLS’s Crew

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/templateimg/printIcon.gif Print This Story (http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article.printArticle&articleId=60153)
By TRIPP MICKLE (tmickle@sportsbusinessjournal.com)
Staff writer

Published September 29, 2008 : Page 09
The group of investors that was looking to bring an expansion MLS team to Las Vegas is now looking to acquire a percentage of the Columbus Crew, said Paul Caligiuri, a spokesman for the group.
Caligiuri said the group, which is fronted by California businessman Mark Noorzai, would acquire a portion of the Crew from Hunt Sports Group. The investors would not move the team, he said, and Hunt Sports would continue to run the organization.
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/images/articles/SBJ200809290901-01.jpg Hunt Sports Group would remain
in control in Columbus.


“It’s pretty close to being in the final stages,” said Caligiuri, who declined to disclose the size of the investment or the percentage stake that the Noorzai group would acquire.
Hunt Sports Group President John Wagner confirmed that the group has approached the team about a minority investment, but said no agreement has been reached and discussions are ongoing.
A sale of the Crew would take MLS a small step closer to its goal of having one team per owner. Over the last several years, AEG and the Hunts have sold a combined four teams. The Hunt group, which also owns FC Dallas, is the last owner-operator group to wholly own and operate two MLS clubs. The deal would work similarly to the one cut between AEG and Oscar De La Hoya for the Houston Dynamo earlier this year, Caligiuri said. In February, De La Hoya and his partner Gabriel Brener each bought 25 percent stakes in the Houston Dynamo from AEG, which still owns 50 percent of the franchise and operates the team. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but the investment reportedly valued the team at $40 million to $50 million.
The group making the acquisition is headed by Noorzai, who formed the Las Vegas Sports & Entertainment Group in 2006 with the goal of bringing a professional soccer team to Las Vegas. He has been seeking an expansion team from MLS since then to play in a $500 million, retractable-roof, soccer-specific stadium and an adjacent hotel and casino, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
At his state-of-the-league address this summer, MLS Commissioner Don Garber mentioned Las Vegas in a list of nine expansion cities, along with Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Atlanta, Miami, Portland, St. Louis and New York.
Acquiring a portion of the Crew from the Hunts wouldn’t mean the end of the Las Vegas group’s bid for an expansion team, Caligiuri said. He added, “They’re still interested in moving forward in that area.”

ensco
09-29-2008, 05:16 PM
I just don't see how an outdoor sport played in the summer could possibly work in Las Vegas (or Phoenix). It's too bad because Phoenix especially would otherwise be a great MLS market.

In June, July and August, it's often over 100 degrees F at night in those cities.

MrHawk
09-29-2008, 05:16 PM
During MLS season, it's beyond f'ing hot in Vegas.

We're talking 40 degress PLUS the hot stinky air.

Dave67
09-29-2008, 05:21 PM
During MLS season, it's beyond f'ing hot in Vegas.

We're talking 40 degress PLUS the hot stinky air.

Dry heat :) huge mormon population of soccer playing families (I believe) living in and around Vegas. At least during the massive growth in Vegas the casinos were trying hard to hire Mormons because they would not gamble their pay cheques away. Would not be surprised if a team did fairly well there but it would have to be night games with a heavy home schedule early in the year and late in the year. July & August would be brutal.

Yohan
09-29-2008, 05:23 PM
Since MLS scheduling makes no sense (5 home games in a row? lol) I suppose the league can schedule las Vegas games to maybe one a month during the hottest months

Azerban
09-29-2008, 05:36 PM
We're going apertura/clausura soon anyways, the schedule won't be a giant problem.

redcard
09-29-2008, 05:57 PM
We're going apertura/clausura soon anyways, the schedule won't be a giant problem.

i will be in north, no?

MrHawk
09-29-2008, 05:58 PM
Dry heat :) huge mormon population of soccer playing families (I believe) living in and around Vegas. At least during the massive growth in Vegas the casinos were trying hard to hire Mormons because they would not gamble their pay cheques away. Would not be surprised if a team did fairly well there but it would have to be night games with a heavy home schedule early in the year and late in the year. July & August would be brutal.

Dry heat yes is bad.
But still, 40 degrees plus what feels like a hair dryer on you, is still 40 degrees.

canadian_bhoy
09-29-2008, 06:06 PM
MLS without Toronto FC is nothing. LV Gamblers, Miami Barca, Alaska Moose Pies - Put a team wherever you want - as long as their is a team down at the lakeshore, that's all I care about.

S_D
09-29-2008, 06:39 PM
Las Vegas had plans for an indoor stadium - with air conditioning.

FluSH
09-29-2008, 06:39 PM
And suddenly... our stupid made up rivalry just got better!!! Las Vegas roadtrips.... oh man have I died and gone to heaven?!?!

arbogast
09-29-2008, 06:52 PM
And suddenly... our stupid made up rivalry just got better!!! Las Vegas roadtrips.... oh man have I died and gone to heaven?!?!


Dude... those road trips would be off the freakin' hook!! :hump: Actually, Vegas would probably be a prime away trip for a lot of other MLS fans too.

BTW, they would have to build a dome stadium with field turf there, otherwise forget it it's waaayyy to hot. Look at Dallas..they draw flies when it heats up.

Angelo1405
09-29-2008, 06:54 PM
MLS without Toronto FC is nothing. LV Gamblers, Miami Barca, Alaska Moose Pies - Put a team wherever you want - as long as their is a team down at the lakeshore, that's all I care about.

I find that statement Not true....with Philly, Seattle, Portland, and maybe Montreal, along with new stadiums popping up, possibly a NY2 team partnered with the Mets who are worth more than $500 million is pretty good in my non existing book....

TFC Cityboy
09-29-2008, 07:15 PM
dunno 'bout this....would we have to piss against an Elvis chapel if we played them in Vegas?(alledgedly) ;)

Torcida
09-29-2008, 08:40 PM
This is bitter/sweet. I hate Columbus but it's easy to travel too. Paul Caligiuri got USA into WC 90, check it out:

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FluSH
09-29-2008, 08:45 PM
Dude... those road trips would be off the freakin' hook!! :hump: Actually, Vegas would probably be a prime away trip for a lot of other MLS fans too.

BTW, they would have to build a dome stadium with field turf there, otherwise forget it it's waaayyy to hot. Look at Dallas..they draw flies when it heats up.

It's Vegas $$$... Believe it or not they get their good portion of water... and I've seen many houses with Lawns (although a desert patio is easier to maintain).

koryo
09-29-2008, 08:58 PM
It's Vegas $$$... Believe it or not they get their good portion of water... and I've seen many houses with Lawns (although a desert patio is easier to maintain).

The Crew - trading low-rent crack-town for cocaine chic: discuss.

They'd have to rename themselves The Syndicate.

shwade
09-29-2008, 09:16 PM
Caligiuri said the group, which is fronted by California businessman Mark Noorzai, would acquire a portion of the Crew from Hunt Sports Group. The investors would not move the team, he said, and Hunt Sports would continue to run the organization.



No road trip to Vegas..

FluSH
09-29-2008, 09:25 PM
Fcujk

Canary Canuck
09-29-2008, 09:29 PM
The plans for Vegas have always been a $500 million dollar retractable roof stadium with hotel and casino attached. No need to worry about the heat.

Ageroo
09-29-2008, 09:31 PM
No road trip to Vegas..

well that stinks.....I got all excited reading through the thread...and then the big let down at the end.....Anyone else want to go and watch the Oct 4th game there anyway...:D

dantdot
09-29-2008, 09:33 PM
You got my hopes up, I thought the Crew were officially being moved, leaving Crew fans only 1 other option for a get-together, a KKK rally.

stugautz
09-29-2008, 09:50 PM
Split the season up...March-May and September-Season end in Vegas, summer months in Columbus. And make sure Columbus has 2 home games vs TFC.

netsan
09-29-2008, 09:51 PM
They can play all night games if there is no dome. That's one way to beat the heat.

Dave67
09-30-2008, 07:38 AM
This is bitter/sweet. I hate Columbus but it's easy to travel too.

Kolumbus is like a 7 hour drive and Vegas is a 4 1/2 hour flight. Vegas is actually closer than Kolumbus... Work with me here, this is the kind of logic I need to use on my wife to clear these kind of trips :)

TFC Cityboy
09-30-2008, 08:26 AM
^^ hence your board name :)

stugautz
09-30-2008, 08:32 AM
They can play all night games if there is no dome. That's one way to beat the heat.

I've seen it around 35 at night in Vegas in the summer. You're just beating the sun, not the heat.

Parkdale
09-30-2008, 08:58 AM
brings me to another point:

Even though I would LOVE to see Miami FC in the MLS, because I would take week long trips for every away game, it's just not good for the league and my own desire to sit on the beach doesn't outweigh a bad business move. MLS should only grow to where teams will work. (seattle, philly, st.louis-maybe, montreal, vancouver)

Technorgasm
09-30-2008, 09:13 AM
AWAY GAME IN VEGAS?!!



oh yesssss

Keystone FC
10-01-2008, 06:22 AM
AWAY GAME IN VEGAS?!!



oh yesssss

For SOME reason I just knew you would like the idea of a Vegas trip.:D

Keystone FC
10-01-2008, 06:47 AM
No road trip to Vegas..

Don't unpack yet. The Crew won't be cleaning out lockers and loading up Mayflower moving vans any time soon, BUT this has the earmarkings of a potential relocation venture in the next 2-3 years.
If you think about it for awhile it would be better to by a club and move it rather than pay for and expansion club. Plus, The Crew are the best in the league with the worst attendance and pretty much last in sponsorship deals according to Forbes. This wouldn't be a tuff pitch to MLS to relocate an 'original' club to a brand new state-of-the-art SSS in one of the more expanding and viberant markets in the US. Heck, The SJE moved to Houston and a college stadium...the Crew would be moving from one SSS to another SSS and the entire club moves right along with it.
Not to mention, the poor city of Cowlumbus WON'T be stuck with a white elephant due to the Crew Stadium is already on the state fairgrounds
http://www.ohioexpocenter.com/oec/oec4_2.htm
and has already held high school soccer and football games, and don't forget they have a wonderful new stage for concerts.
I'm sure the USL possibly would come calling to place a club there as well.
One thing's for sure...the Crew faithful are CRAPPING THEIR COLLECTIVE PANTS over this.
http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=790960

:lol:


:seeya:

Wave Goodbye To The Yellow Soccer Team
The Yellow Soccer Team
The Yellow Soccer Team
Wave Goodbye To The Yellow Soccer Team
The Yellow Soccer Team
The Yellow Soccer Team

Fort York Redcoat
10-01-2008, 07:40 AM
Sorry to inject sympathy on our hated rivals but this is the first team in the league, the first SSS in the league and the creator of the league's home team we're talking about.

This move is insulting and reeks for Columbus fans. This is a terrible decision to ease the transition to Las Vegas. Why the hell would the Vegas people want to contribute to a team that doesn't make money where they are? As if their investing in the team will magically bring more people to the stadium. Vegas wants the team but I doubt the league wants to show a step backwards in a franchise failing anywhere while they are pimping for new franchises.

Just rip the band aid off and move them already.

I still don't see how THIS is going to be the one sport that succeeds in Vegas, though.

Canary Canuck
10-01-2008, 10:04 AM
KC would be a better candidate for relocation. Just too bad that their owners enjoy losing money and don't want to sell.

invictusTFC
10-01-2008, 11:39 AM
brings me to another point:

Even though I would LOVE to see Miami FC in the MLS, because I would take week long trips for every away game, it's just not good for the league and my own desire to sit on the beach doesn't outweigh a bad business move. MLS should only grow to where teams will work. (seattle, philly, st.louis-maybe, montreal, vancouver)

Unfortunately, Garber might be a proponent of the Gary Bettman theory of expansion...

maninb
10-02-2008, 10:32 AM
Because of their SS Stadium, they are in Cloumbus for the foreseeable future...Garber/MLS can't afford to have a team which had a stadium built JUST FOR THEM to relocate. It would set an unbelievably bad prescedent and be the end of SS stadiums being built ANYWHERE.

NF-FC
10-02-2008, 05:36 PM
Because of their SS Stadium, they are in Cloumbus for the foreseeable future...Garber/MLS can't afford to have a team which had a stadium built JUST FOR THEM to relocate. It would set an unbelievably bad prescedent and be the end of SS stadiums being built ANYWHERE.

Now, first off I am against any sport moving to Las Vegas, but the Crew would be moving from the leagues crappiest SSS into possibly the best. I don't think Garber would care

james
10-02-2008, 11:32 PM
weather really shouldn't be a problem in Las Vegas!


yeah its hot, but so is Arizona or Texas or New Mexico. Yes these states have many sport teams in College and pro sports in baseball and football. Even Nevada has some big football college teams i believe. And they seem to play just fine. Also many Soccer countries play in hot conditions such as half the countries in Central america, South America, Carribeans, African and even some european teams play in very hot weather. I dont think heat is really an issue. Some countries also play in very high altitudes while others may paly in very cold conditions such as in Scandanavian countries and Russia. In vegas they could always play late evening/night games if it is to hot in the day.

with that said tho i still wouldn't want to see a team in Las Vegas!

Keystone FC
10-04-2008, 04:52 AM
Sorry to inject sympathy on our hated rivals but this is the first team in the league, the first SSS in the league and the creator of the league's home team we're talking about.

What we're talking about here is MONEY! Pure and simple. Garber is looking at the financial stability of the league which is why IF Las Vegas has the SSS, and the sponsorships, and the attendance (with in reason), and the owners ($$$) and the Crew is still trying to get fans to the games with free tickets AFTER they win the Cup (God help us) then I don't see where Garber can go wrong.


This move is insulting and reeks for Columbus fans. This is a terrible decision to ease the transition to Las Vegas. Why the hell would the Vegas people want to contribute to a team that doesn't make money where they are? As if their investing in the team will magically bring more people to the stadium. Vegas wants the team but I doubt the league wants to show a step backwards in a franchise failing anywhere while they are pimping for new franchises.

Just rip the band aid off and move them already.

I still don't see how THIS is going to be the one sport that succeeds in Vegas, though.

I agree with you that this will leave a bad taste in Crew fans, all 100 of them, mouths (if it happens).

Keystone FC
10-04-2008, 05:06 AM
Because of their SS Stadium, they are in Cloumbus for the foreseeable future...Garber/MLS can't afford to have a team which had a stadium built JUST FOR THEM to relocate. It would set an unbelievably bad prescedent and be the end of SS stadiums being built ANYWHERE.

I don't think it would discourage the building of SSS but it would force future clubs to look at how to make them more profitable outside the world of soccer. Most have already added stages to their SSS for concerts (i.e. Chicago, C-Bus, Dallas) others are building communities around the SSS as to have a fan base living buy the stadium (i.e. St. Louis {proposed}, KC {proposed}).
I think the next step is for the stadiums is to have hotels, condos, office renting space, attached to the SSS like some European and Asian clubs. This would not only increase the potential for fan support but also allow the club to draw revenue during the off season.

Keystone FC
10-04-2008, 05:10 AM
Crew president McCullers says the team is NOT moving, but when has an owner said this while U-Haul vans are pulling up behind him.

Crew president nixes talk of move to Vegas

Oct 1, 12:53 pm EDT

COLUMBUS, OHIO (TICKER) —Columbus Crew (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/teams/col/;_ylt=AuhUQb93cVAAnynOGE7om2_pvrYF) president Mark McCullers refuted speculation that the franchise was moving to Las Vegas.

In an open letter posted on the team’s official blog Tuesday, McCullers addressed a recent report that Hunt Sports Group, which is the managing investor-operator of the Crew, had been approached by a group of investors to purchase a share of the club....




http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news;_ylt=AiYmfybOEn0hFzIISlLj20akvrYF?slug=txcrew lasvegas&prov=st&type=lgns

Cashcleaner
10-04-2008, 07:31 AM
No team would survive in Vegas. The local population is too transient to rely on for stable ticket sales. Factor in the weather and its a recipe for failure.

Columbus is bad, no doubt about it. But compared to Las Vegas, they at least have a chance at making a profit.

JonO
10-04-2008, 07:48 AM
No team would survive in Vegas. The local population is too transient to rely on for stable ticket sales. Factor in the weather and its a recipe for failure.

Columbus is bad, no doubt about it. But compared to Las Vegas, they at least have a chance at making a profit.
Don't assume that the Strip is representative of all of Vegas. They have a population of approx. 2 million people and it is still one of the fastest growing cities in the US (although I'm not sure how hard the latest financial crisis will hurt them). Anyway, you just have to take a drive through the suburbs to realize the potential the city has (and the beautiful soccer fields that a city in the desert has puts our city to shame...)

Just saying is all...