At least according to International Soccer Network. Sounds like the sale will be officially announced on October 1st. The Elkhart-based group didn't buy the team.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I'm curious where we'll play next season. I can't wait to hear who bought the team.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland Don't get too excited yet. It still sounds vague of this new local group is really going to buy them or just give the Stars current owners some nice dog and pony show. Lets hope for the best, expect the worse.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland If a letter of intent has been signed, I'd have to think the group is going to buy the team. I guess we'll see if there's an announcement on the first.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I thought a letter of intent would mean that the group intends to buy the team. That's just me, though.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland Ok, here's an idea from left field. Any chance the ownership could be the Wolstein group that previoulsy been trying to pursue a MLS franchise? I know a long shot, but just a thought.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I doubt it. I've spoken with the CEO of that group before, not recently, but I doubt they would be interested in a USL-1 team. They are fans of soccer, but business comes first. Their MLS plan included retail space, stadium, etc. They're not likely to get that with USL1. And they're also busy with the downtown non-sports related development right now. Not only that, but if they had wanted a USL1 team then they would have had one years ago.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I didn't think so either, but what the heck isnt' as crazy as some of the BS you see here. Remember when certain people were saying Nike was going to put a ton of cash into the league?
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I'm cautiously optimistic about this news. Hope to hear some good news on Thursday.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland Well, you never know, it's been a couple of years since I talked to him, and at the time the whole Summit County/Macedonia/MLS thing was still a possibility. I wouldn't rule them out completely, but I think it's very unlikely.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland This is the only thing that worries me, just a little: A panicked, last-second, get-the-team-sold-before-it's-too-late deal doesn't fill me with tons of confidence. I just hope whoever these folks are, they have the resources to run a successful USL-1 franchise. (And the topic isn't quite right. Of course "we're" staying in Cleveland, unless some of us were planning to move to Indiana to follow the club. ) ------RM
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I live in Cleveland, I have this tattooed on my arm, because you just know it's coming.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland Well, that just might mean it's bad for the current/former ownership. Like this group swooped in at the last moment and picked up a good deal. Heck, if they got a deal on the team that may mean that they'll have more money to spend to make it better. Never say that I can't be positive. And I don't think they could do that much worse than last season whoever they may be.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland Man, Cleveland sports have hit the crapper. Wedge fired, Browns in hopeless dissarray, Delonte AWOL. This is just today.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I don't know if the current group would have sold to just anyone. I thought the plan was to drop down to USL2 if they couldn't find a buyer. I don't know, but I hope the situation is more along the lines of with City Dave suggested.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I may be wrong, but CCS seems to have a mission similar to that of Charlotte Eagles. That is, they are a Christian organization of some type, or a charity. Will this continue in some form? Seems like an important part of their identity.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland It seems pretty certain that the team will no longer operate as a non-profit charity once the sale is completed. I don't think the inner-city work would stop, but the team will not be a charity. That's just my guess.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I like seeing City Dave think positively...but I sure don't want to be around when he hears that Rod will remain as coach
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I think if the team is sold that's pretty much an impossibility. I'd expect that if the team is sold that they'd pretty much clean house on coaches and players. At least that's what I'd hope and what most competitive owners would do. If they keep nearly everyone on then that's a sign that team performance isn't important to them. Nothing against the guys we got, except Rod, but most of our players last year were more USL2 quality than USL1. Heck, we had the lowest payroll in the league.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland So by your reasoning our poor season was possibly due to cut rate players, NOT the coaching? (I know you don't believe that) Perhaps Rod got the best possible performance out of the available players who were just out matched at the USL-1 level? I admit I know nothing of Coach Underwood's abilities to accomplish that. There's some temptation to believe the theory though. If the new owners retain him it proves that they have confidence that he can accomplish more in this league. Why did the Indians kept Wedge around for 7 years with only 1 playoff appearance?
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland I do think there are some guys that could definitely play in USL1. I think the team needs to hang on to Teteh, I really think this kid has talent. I would think that a new owner would bring in a lot of their own people. I wouldn't expect them to be going into the season blind.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland Because the Dolans are possibly the worst owners in baseball. That's why.
Re: We're Staying in Cleveland You know? How about the answer is both are at fault and that Rod didn't do what you said above. But I know you're in love with him so it's okay. I forgive you. Ra ra ra!!! Keep cheering! Maybe the Indians are idiots?