goodbye Columbus Crew - Hello Las Vegas Crew?

[deltox]

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/60153


Investors in talks to buy share of MLS’s Crew

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By TRIPP MICKLE
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.
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]

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]

During MLS season, it's beyond f'ing hot in Vegas.

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

[Dave67]

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]

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]

We're going apertura/clausura soon anyways, the schedule won't be a giant problem.

[redcard]

We're going apertura/clausura soon anyways, the schedule won't be a giant problem.

i will be in north, no?

[MrHawk]

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]

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]

Las Vegas had plans for an indoor stadium - with air conditioning.

[FluSH]

And suddenly... our stupid made up rivalry just got better!!! Las Vegas roadtrips.... oh man have I died and gone to heaven?!?!

[arbogast]

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!! 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]

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]

dunno 'bout this....would we have to piss against an Elvis chapel if we played them in Vegas?(alledgedly)

[Torcida]

This is bitter/sweet. I hate Columbus but it's easy to travel too. Paul Caligiuri got USA into WC 90, check it out:

[FluSH]

Dude... those road trips would be off the freakin' hook!! 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]

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]

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]

Fcujk

[Canary Canuck]

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]

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...

[dantdot]

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]

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]

They can play all night games if there is no dome. That's one way to beat the heat.

[Dave67]

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]

^^ hence your board name

[stugautz]

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]

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]

AWAY GAME IN VEGAS?!!



oh yesssss

[Keystone FC]

AWAY GAME IN VEGAS?!!



oh yesssss

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