Ownership Group

[P@rick_STL]

In his blog today, Cooper says that we won't know about the ownership group for "several weeks or more."

We feel very, very good about the quality of our ownership group and proposal, and we’re now ready for the next phase, which is to engage in a review process with the league that we expect will take several weeks or more to complete. Once the review is complete, we’ll then be in a position to offer more details about what St. Louis has to offer in the respect of ownership interests within our St. Louis Soccer United group, as well as other details that will enhance our candidacy.

I have the impression, and this is purely speculation, that the other members of the ownership group do not want to go public unless the group is awarded an MLS expansion team.

Does anyone have any inside information or informed speculation? Is Cooper still the majority investor? Who might the other investors be?

[UpperV06]

I was sworn to secrecy, but you will be impressed by the financial clout of the other owners. I still don't know why they want to stay so secretive???

[ajd212]

How do you know who the investors are???

I hope you are right that we will be impressed:)

[Sport Billy]

I was sworn to secrecy, but you will be impressed by the financial clout of the other owners. I still don't know why they want to stay so secretive???


Mark Abbot in reviewing the bids said:

"a very ambitious project for a SSS in Collinsville, IL"

Lalas asked "What holes have been filled?"

Abbot: "They have made considerable progress on the financing of that stadium, so we're very interested in continuing discussions in that market."


Around the 10:30 mark (http://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/shows/mls/101508_extratime_ep74_final_400.wmv&w_id=26863&catCode=shows&type=v_free&_mp=1)

[modenafc1912]

I still don't know why they want to stay so secretive???

I was wondering the same thing ... let's hope this bid is as deep-pocketed as secret, then StL has really good chances! :)

[notefan16]

I just saw the list of owners for the expansion teams. WOW! There are some powerful names on that list. I hope for Coopers sake, and St. Louis, that he found a money tree.

I have heard he was in Europe recruitting investors, any chance he has found a partnership with a European soccer club owner and the two teams will share identities (see: Colorado-Arsenal)?

[mednus]

Mark Abbot in reviewing the bids said:

"a very ambitious project for a SSS in Collinsville, IL"

Lalas asked "What holes have been filled?"

Abbot: "They have made considerable progress on the financing of that stadium, so we're very interested in continuing discussions in that market."


Around the 10:30 mark (http://web.mlsnet.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2008/shows/mls/101508_extratime_ep74_final_400.wmv&w_id=26863&catCode=shows&type=v_free&_mp=1)


Sometimes "very Ambitious" = not very reasonable
and "considerable progress" is still not enough to pass

Just some between the lines reading.

[Sport Billy]

Sometimes "very Ambitious" = not very reasonable
and "considerable progress" is still not enough to pass

Just some between the lines reading.

True, but that's not the sense you get if you watch it.

[McGinty]

I still don't know why they want to stay so secretive???

This is merely standard operating procedure. I know everyone wants to know who is involved in this, but when the chips are down, does coming forward really help the bid?

This happened in KC in 2005 and 2006. The Wizards were up for sale, and people were frustrated that they were not hearing any news of this rumored local group interested in buying the team. Lamar Hunt respected (and likely understood) the privacy of what eventually became OnGoal as did Heart of America Soccer Foundation.

Some time around the end of 2005 (or the beginning of 2006), the group was outed by a Kansas City Star reporter that believed that he was helping keep the team in KC by naming names. Even after the report, nobody from the group ever made a public statement of any sort regarding the sale of the team.

[Z010 Union]

This is merely standard operating procedure. I know everyone wants to know who is involved in this, but when the chips are down, does coming forward really help the bid?

This happened in KC in 2005 and 2006. The Wizards were up for sale, and people were frustrated that they were not hearing any news of this rumored local group interested in buying the team. Lamar Hunt respected (and likely understood) the privacy of what eventually became OnGoal as did Heart of America Soccer Foundation.

Some time around the end of 2005 (or the beginning of 2006), the group was outed by a Kansas City Star reporter that believed that he was helping keep the team in KC by naming names. Even after the report, nobody from the group ever made a public statement of any sort regarding the sale of the team.

Same thing in Philly. The old loose lips sink ships mantra.

[gregro]

True, but that's not the sense you get if you watch it.


I agree. Based on what I saw it looks like he was trying to take a very balanced and neutral approach in his communication. I got the sense that they are going to take a hard look at all of the bids analyze the bids based on the criteria mentioned.

I think the league is going to take a very thoughtful approach in makeing a decision.

Based on the criteria, I think St. Louis and Montreal make the most sense right now. I think they have all the right elements in place and are ready to go on the short term.

However, cities, like Miami, Vancouver and Portland are compelling markets in terms of fan support regional rivalires etc but some pieces are missing.

Portland would have to get a baseball stadium for "The Beavers" and then rennovate their stadium. If Vanvouver could get a land swap deal done for their water front stadium, it would be the crown jewel of MLS. BC place would work fine on the short term.

Some things that was missing in Miami was the fact that the ownership was weak and the stadium was in Ft. Lauderdale.

In my humble opinion, I do not think that Atlanta or Ottawa are the strongest choices for 2011 in terms of market size and location but could potentially good choices down the road.

The postive take away from all of this is the fact that we have a lot of cities and strong ownership groups all bidding for a place in MLS. This is truly a good sign. :)

[SilentAssassin]

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/4874DCB646EA3D02862574E60013D24B?OpenDocument
From Bernie Miklasz, The only remaining question is the financial muscle behind Cooper's effort. Months ago, the MLS advised Cooper to line up additional investors, and he recruited a substantial partner. Cooper declines to provide the name of his silent partner, who wants to remain anonymous for now. But the investor's identity and financial statements were included in the official application turned in by Cooper to the MLS. I'm told the investor lives in another state and has a personal worth of at least $500 million.
This sounds like great news to me. I thought there were supposed to be three new investors, including a European, though. Either way, I think someone worth $500 million should be enough for an MLS owner, even if some of the competing cities have richer investors.

[sharmon]

Great news (and good find Silent)! In my eyes that is looking like a very solid bid. I'm encouraged by what I've read, and hope that MLS sees it as a complete bid as well.

I'm also wondering about the European investor that was rumored.

Great work nonetheless by Jeff.

[only1united]

Wow, could not be happier to read an article by Miklasz. At least $500 million on top of Cooper's millions? Can you say done deal?

[Sport Billy]

The article only says "at least" $500 mil.

Also the article is a little confusing.

To clear it up.

Currently there is more than enough money for MLS needs, but they would still like an additional LOCAL investor to help keep a local feel.

[CSMAC]

IF this investor is legit, his/her minimum $500 million and Cooper's money have to make the St. Louis bid the best all-around bid submitted on Wednesday. IF this was the last piece of the puzzle, St. Louis should be a strong front runner However:

1) MLS has before and can again change the rules.
2) Rumors and hersay cannot be trusted. Case in point: hasn't this investor been European on this board for the last 2 months? Now he/she lives in another state?

Also, I understand the want for local investors to still be part of this group. But, it looks bad still hunting for it at this late date. Frankly, it makes me feel the bid is still weak. Cooper's had the last two years to recruit locals. No one jumped on board. I don't think Bernie's 6 paragraphs in today's paper are going to change that. Be confident and quite with what you have and move forward.

[Basque21]

2) Rumors and hersay cannot be trusted. Case in point: hasn't this investor been European on this board for the last 2 months? Now he/she lives in another state?

Also, I understand the want for local investors to still be part of this group. But, it looks bad still hunting for it at this late date. Frankly, it makes me feel the bid is still weak. Cooper's had the last two years to recruit locals. No one jumped on board. I don't think Bernie's 6 paragraphs in today's paper are going to change that. Be confident and quite with what you have and move forward.

The European investor is not a rumor, Jeff Cooper himself said they had a European investor in the KMOX interview and other articles.

The investors that have been added in the last couple months have been two Americans and one European.

The article from today was only focusing on one large American investor, because he is the richest one out of the three, I suppose.

[CSMAC]

So the working assumption here is the potential ownership group is:

1) Cooper
2) $500 million guy in other state
3) another American
4) a European

If that is the case (and TRUE), and assuming 3 & 4 are financially on par with Cooper, it could be a solid group.

I wonder why Bernie wouldn't have at least made reference to the other two investors, if indeed they exist? It seems that would have been relevant to the article.

[Sport Billy]

So the working assumption here is the potential ownership group is:

1) Cooper
2) at least $500 million guy in other state
3) another American
4) a European

If that is the case (and TRUE), and assuming 3 & 4 are financially on par with Cooper, it could be a solid group.



FYP - i think it's a bit more than that. ;)


I wonder why Bernie wouldn't have at least made reference to the other two investors, if indeed they exist? It seems that would have been relevant to the article.

Because Bernie still doesn't know who the bidders are. They do not want to be disclosed. Why should Cooper give info so people can start trying to figure it out.

[Basque21]

So the working assumption here is the potential ownership group is:

1) Cooper
2) $500 million guy in other state
3) another American
4) a European

If that is the case (and TRUE), and assuming 3 & 4 are financially on par with Cooper, it could be a solid group.

I wonder why Bernie wouldn't have at least made reference to the other two investors, if indeed they exist? It seems that would have been relevant to the article.

+ the other investors that have been part of SLSU since last year.

The part about local investors said He wants to enhance the St. Louis flavor by adding local investors.

That seems like a logical reason to me.