I'm not complaining about the Earthquakes' current administration - I was just curious as to whether anyone knows what Dan Van Voorhis is up to nowadays, and if he still follows soccer or not.       Most posters here probably don't know or care, but this is the man who owned the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks in the late 80's-early 90's, and who spearheaded San Jose's successful bid for one of the initial twelve (later changed to ten) inaugural MLS teams. I heard that he originally wanted to be the team's Investor/Operator from the beginning, but somehow fell out of the loop before the league later announced SJ as one of the three league-owned teams (along with Dallas and Tampa Bay).       Anyone here know if he currently watches, or at least follows, the Quakes? And what else is he up to nowadays?       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
I heard he was involved in a messy legal battle over his divorce when MLS came calling in '95-96. He owned the rights to the Bay Area soccer market, so they worked out a deal for him to step aside... Don't know if he still follows the team...
I think he still has a reserved luxury suite on press level...but I've never seen him. Strange since I worked for him with the 'Hawks (both incarnations).
He sure was a classy owner for the Blackhawks, who were always a pretty good team. The perks for season ticket holders were brilliant, too (free food and beer before games, for example...). And Van Voorhis was always friendly and approachable. I was disappointed when I found out he wouldn't be running the local MLS affiliate. He is also quite influential in the community of Blackhawk, CA, which he helped develop.
      It's been a while since this thread was posted in, but I was curious:       Has anyone heard from Dan Van Voorhis recently? Could he be one of the potential "local investors" that AEG has reportedly been courting lately to buy into the Earthquakes?       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
Any word of Dan Van Voorhis lately? Has he been seen at all in his luxury box at Spartan last season or this season? Is he interested in running a local professional soccer team again (which could definitely use his help now more than ever)? GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
Oh. Does he at least still have enough money to run an MLS franchise if he so chose, or does one need to be a multi-billionaire these days to enter the MLS circle? GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
Does he at least still have enough money to run an MLS franchise if he so chose Unless he's done really well since the divorce: no. or does one need to be a multi-billionaire these days to enter the MLS circle? Realistically we're shooting for the type Dan used to work for: Ken Bering? Used to own the SeaHawks I think. Dan felt like he got very close to getting into the MFL - that would have would have worked, because it would probably have made money. MLS I.O.'s have to invest deep, building stadiums and/or taking losses over years. Dan couldn't do that.
Would Eddie DeBartolo be interested (or does he still have millions or billions of dollars after the settlement with his sister?)? Not even before the divorce? GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
As was first posted here, today's (Saturday, 3/12/05) San Jose Mercury News includes Dan's obituary. GO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES!!! -G