Update on AEG sale: http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/1537516/exclusive-aeg-bidders-down-to-three
Just my two cents: From what I've read, I like Patrick Soon-Shiong. But I don't like the idea of having Goldman Sachs in that group... We all know that Guggenheim is willing to spend money...at least on the Dodgers. The problem, to me, is that they may have more interest in the Dodgers than the Galaxy. And Qatari money...sounds awesome, but I don't really want the Galaxy to be one of those clubs (...cough PSG...Man City, etc.) that "buy championships." Of course, the case might be that one of those three bidders buys us then sells us. It'd be really cool if Becks could get in on a deal...Kobe maybe too lol. (sidenote: seems like Becks won't really be missing the Lakers this year)
So hard to tell. But, think about this. While we love the LAG, in the AEG world LAG is VERY small potatoes and a fringe business. It seems that conglomerates have differing philosophies. Some are willing to hold on to any business that carries its weight and makes money for the parent. Others think they need to pare down to the core businesses because it diverts efforts to try to be all things to all men. I really think Phil was in soccer only secondarily to seeing its money potential. He loves the game. You can't really expect that same love on the part of a more financially driven entity like Goldman Sachs or Guggenheim. My guess is that within three yers of the AEG sale the new owners will shed LAG, at least if the owner is Goldman or Guggenheim. I have no idea what drives the Arab money or our local Billionaire. It will be interesting to watch, and there are pros and cons either way. If an owner who is uninterested hangs on to the asset....well, look what happened to NER.
Ideally we would be sold to a billionaire football fan. While I'm not to big on sugar daddies in Europe I think the MLS needs owners right now who are willing to come out of pocket to field the best product and have a long term vision, even with the cap. I was thinking the other day the perfect owner might be a foreign billionaires who's looking for status in LA and loves football. Basically a Prokorov.....
You don't have to worry about that cuz the league conspires to gift LA with awesome players that can help win trophies.
Even if that was true, will that carry over post-AEG? I doubt it. It's not like the MLS has doen any special favors for their other major market teams post-AEG...
I agree completely, except that the 3 year window is too long. To the extent that this deal is about sports, it's about the NFL in downtown LA. But even that is only a part of the world wide entertainment venues, ticketing, etc., that makes up most of AEG. The Galaxy are an afterthought. This might be Beckham's chance to partner with a soccer loving billionaire and come back to LA.
If he can give Magic Johnson a call the two of them with maybe a 3rd player could afford the team. Becks alone is worth $260 million and that is not including Posh's cash(which is about 30 mil). Magic is worth $500 and is already part owner of the LA Dodgers. In 5 months when he leaves France to return to LA maybe we will know by then if buying into LA as part of an owner group will take place.
Wait...Becks is returning to LA after he finishes in France? I thought his family was moving back to England...like for good.
He will be back with the team when we go visit the White House right around the time of the summer transfer window. By then he will done in France and could finally invoke his ownership clause which could see him joining a group to purchase LA. Galaxy or another team in the league.
Coincidentally there does seem to be a Correlation with this Beckham-PSG-Qatari Owned (apparently the very same group that wants in on AEG) Connection. At one point last year this group were rumored to be one of the bidders for MLS NYC2 where Sheik Monsour (Owner of Man City) appears to be the frontrunner IF you're to believe those rumors. Anyhow check out this video @00:54. QATARI SPORTS INVESTMENTS INTERESTED IN AEG? LINK