Ehhh, it's possible that with Checketts moving onto another job that Hanson could've gotten a discounted price.
A. i said that local 100% MLS focused ownership was working, i never said it was the ONLY thing that could work. B. AEG isn't your typical multi-sport owner in MLS ... AEG IS MLS, their interest and dedication to the league cannot be questioned ... without Anschultz there is no MLS.
Actually you said its exactly what's working. But its not exactly what's working, because other things (like LA) are working. (BTW, before anyone corrects my earlier post, I meant to say the prior SS winners, not the current ones)
Technically you aren't wrong on either count. The Earthquakes owner also owns the Athletics and doesn't fit into OG's criteria of local ownership that solely focused on MLS.
Since he's 100% local, anyone think he might change the name to something a little more significant to Salt Lake/Utah? I'm being serious, btw. I'm really not trying to troll on the "rebrand Real Salt Lake!" topic. Just curious.
Not even a little chance IMO. He did say specifically in an interview after the presser that the refinance of the stadium debt leaves money to 1) upgrade the Rio Tinto fan experience and 2) spend on a DP.
I actually like Real Salt Like now. If there was ever to be a rebrand, I wouldn't mind seeing it become Royal Salt Lake, cos you know, this is an English speaking country, but whatever. Then again 23% of the population is Hispanic, so maybe we're saving ourselves time when it becomes majority Latino. It is worth refinancing for those things?
As per too many MLS transactions "The terms of the deal were not disclosed, by agreement of both parties"
With that kind of savings, I imagine you can do both of those things and still bank a good deal of cash every year. Hansen is talking big about all levels of the organization, from the academy up, and in expanding RSL's footprint significantly. Refinancing is a handy way to free up funds to accomplish many goals, including (as I imagine the ultimate goal is) turning profits across the board once those things start to pay off.
Yeah, I don't mind much anymore but always liked the abbreviation RSL. Would be cool if they roofed the end sections.
Apparently refinancing saved a boatload of money, which is why those other things are possible. I'd say saving money was worth the refi. The fact that he's interested in reinvesting that money into the team is a bonus.
one of their owners is local and predates MLS and for three of the owners MLS is their only sports focus.
Doesn't one of the Seahawks owners have an ownership stake in the Sounders? How many MLS teams actually have LOCAL ownership? The only ones that come to my mind are SKC, NER, and now RSL. It seems most of the other teams ownership groups aren't actually a local group.
Portland, Montreal. Vancouver and yes some of the Sounders ownership is not local ... and 1/4th of it is involved in the Seahawks. my point was that MLS teams that have SOME to MOST of their ownership as A. Local and/or B. solely focused on MLS in terms of sports seem to all be successful off the field and often also on the field. and that makes sense. if at least part of your ownership is focused solely on MLS and also on the local community and the symbiosis between the two you have a good recipe for success. not the ONLY recipe for success but one that seems to have worked in all cases so far. that isn't to say that AEG and LAG/HOU aren't also successful. they are. but AEG is a different kettle of fish and nobody can question their dedication to MLS given how much a part of the fabric of the league they have been. and while it isn't a guarantee or a 100% necessary causality, i cannot help but notice that many of the MLS teams that are struggling the most (either on-field or off-field and often both) seem to have ownership of the "MLS is a minor sports concern among other higher priority sports concerns". Colorado, New England, Columbus/FC Dallas, Chivas USA, Toronto FC.