http://www.mlsunderground.blogspot.com/ I tried to find a relevant thread about potential dynamo ownership but didnt seem to find one even though I know one is out there. On MLS Underground this morning they are reporting the Dynamo may be sold in the near future. Has anyone else heard anything about this?
How credible is this source? It sounds like it could happen. But until I read or hear about it from someone like Fallas, I won't take it too seriouxly.
The week of MLS Cup? That's not that far off. This is interesting... I'd love to hear Ives Galarcep's take on this. I know we've been down the "who would be the best owner" road before, which is what this could end up turning into, but I have to wonder what would happen to any stadium talks currently in progress. I new owner may have a totally different view on what's acceptable. Traceback address is here, for when it falls off the front page on MLS Underground.
Wonder if they ran into so much trouble getting the stadium deal done that they've decided to sell the team to the partnership of Les Alexander and Drayton McLane who have been rumored to be secretly buying up all the real estate around their east-side digs so they can build a sports mecca paradise.
Somewhat credible. This guy (usually) doesn't pull stuff out of his ass, but it's far from what I would call reliable. He's probably heard a rumor that a group is interested in the Dynamo, and then he's speculating with the rest. As far as asking Ives as one person suggested, I've got news for you: Ives doesn't know much about anything outside the state of New Jersey. Your local Chron guy, or Steve Goff, or Jack Bell, would be the one to ask.
That could be cool. Both those owners want to win badly and the Dynamo win. Might work out well. They defiantly have the money and could also bring in a high priced DP if we ever need one.
couldn't agreed more, Ives doesn't know jack until it hit the prints. his report on the Seattle to MLS rumor has been called out as "premature" http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/soccer/2003909155_mls28.html
I would have to agree here. AEG is trying to max out the value of the clubs before they sell them. If MLS announces a sale at MLS Cup, it will be in conjunction with the announcement of Dynamo Park. Otherwise that's a lot of money left on the the table for AEG, because the new owner would have to get a stadium pushed through the city. Of course a local owner may find it easier to do so than an outsider like AEG, but we'll see.
If this guy knows so little, then why even dignify it with a response? I bet he hit the nail on the head, and it was way before MLS was ready to make an official announcement, so he caught them with their pants down. I'd bet, they wanted to make all the details known at MLS Cup to have more attention drawn to it, since their will be no Beckham & most likely no Blanco in DC. But now this guy has stolen all their steam. I guess I'm just surprised that with the StL stadium being approved, that there hasn't been a "StL will play in 2009" announcement.
I would rather have an owner that understands soccer and its traditions. I have no suggestions, unfortunately. IMHO, Drayton is a cheapskate and is only interested in filling the seats and not putting a good, contending team on the field.
If the rumor were true that Dynamo might get sold soon to McLane or Alexander knowing Oliver Luck is the manager and the City's already into a new stadium, the action of no new news since August would make perfect sense actually. They both were considered the single biggest question-marks as to if they'd let a soccer stadium become their neighbor. If it's someone other than those two that were pursuing Dynamo and a stadium deal of their own, there's no telling where things would stand stadium-wise.
I'm relatively new to Houston but I don't get the Drayton is cheap complaints. This year the Astros have the 14th highest payroll. Pretty average. In 2006, the Astros had the 8th highest. In 2005, 12th highest. Furthermore, From 1993 to 2006 (the time that McLane has owned them) the Astros had the 2nd best winning percentage in the National League. This year won't hurt that much. The Astros made the playoffs in: 1997 - won Central 1998 - won Central 1999 - won Central 2001 - won Central 2004 - Wild Card 2005 - Wild Card - went to World Series 2006 - eliminated on the last day of the season I just don't get all the complaining.
Well I would think that's the key. My guess is they announce the stadium deal in conjunction with sale, if this is true.
oh come on, Figo, I can't believe you didn't get this joke - "60 to 90 days" is the AEG national anthem...
Ever since MMP opened, I believe they were in the top 8 of revenue all that same time, if not higher. The fans think Drayton is cheap because we never really signed a free agent of note until Pettite and Clemens came in....Everything they have done has been built up through their system. Unless you consider Jeff Kent a marquee free agent but even then they didn't resign him. Everyone else that was decent they brought through their system or traded to get. ON top of that, they lost a lot of players thought to be good for salary reasons: Wagner, Hampton, Kile, Beltran (though not entirely Drayton's fault), etc.
We signed Carlos Lee for over 100 million dollars. Drayton would spend the money if it helps the club and put butts in the seats. If he owned the Dynamo, he would do the exact same thing. As long as he had people working with him who knew the game of soccer and players, i think it would work out.