Hunt to sell Crew as well??

Czar Jake · 03-07-2005, 03:07 PM

There is a "big announcement" coming from Crew Stadium tomorrow:

mlsnet

Will the Crew be up for sale as well? Or is it something nice like an all-star game or stadium naming rights?

clarette · 03-07-2005, 03:35 PM

I thought the Crew were supposed to be one of the more lucrative franchises in MLS, since they have a SSS and all... that would definitely surprise me if Hunt sold!

Rover · 03-07-2005, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

Will the Crew be up for sale as well? Or is it something nice like an all-star game or stadium naming rights?

Could be anything. My guess is they're announcing a USMNT doubleheader or the ASG.

Although I really don't have a clue what they're up to, I doubt Uncle Lamar is unloading the team. As I remember it, the Crew is the only team other than the Galaxy to at least break even, if not make a profit.

Czar Jake · 03-07-2005, 07:43 PM

True. That's why it's so odd. But the point was made on the other forum that if a WCQ was the announcement, the USSF people would be there, not the MLS people.

Rover · 03-07-2005, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

True. That's why it's so odd. But the point was made on the other forum that if a WCQ was the announcement, the USSF people would be there, not the MLS people.

The other forum. We all know what THAT means . . .

My question is this--why does MLS feel the need to make these "special" press conferences with surprise announcements? Does anyone outside the soccer world care? Those of us who do care are all here, online, getting the news as it breaks.

I suppose if it was a WCQ, we'd know by now. The worst kept secret in Salt Lake was the Costa Rica game coming to RES.

mckid · 03-07-2005, 10:30 PM

My gut says something to do with MLS, not the Nats. And I agree with what's been said, it wouldn't make sense for Lamar to sell Columbus.

Before this year I don't remember MLS making such an event out of each press conference. It seems to work here in SL. The local news people are usually always at each announcement that's made. Okay, well every one I've been to 🙂

Deuce · 03-07-2005, 11:13 PM

Well my gut tells me it is an announcement about Kansas City... and a surprise announcement from KC would not be much of a surprise... would it..?

Lamar Hunt owns both teams so maybe he is just making the announcement from Columbus cos he happens to be there this week.

My money is on an announcement of a local buyer for KC Wizards... but it could just as easily be a Wizards sale and move to Toronto, Houston (Club America) or Rochester NY.

Just a gut feeling...

Jose Luis Luviano · 03-08-2005, 09:24 AM

Kyle Martino just saved a lot of money on his car insurance.

This is, of course, a guess.

But I suspect that this announcement is tied into the USMNT.

Due to the USSF/USMNTPA p**sing contest earlier this year, the USSF is looking to gain a good negotiating position.

Therefore, I suspect that all WCQ's will be played in "gridiron" stadiums like Rice Eccles, Birmingham, etc. That way, the USSF can generate as much cash as possible, or at least tell the USMNTPA, "Well, we played all the qualifiers in huge stadiums. We made as much money as we could. What else could we do?"

Therefore, places like Crew Stadium & Victoria Street will get friendlies, MLS All Star games, WUSA Revival Tours, etc.

Rover · 03-08-2005, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Czar Jake

There is a "big announcement" coming from Crew Stadium tomorrow:

mlsnet

Will the Crew be up for sale as well? Or is it something nice like an all-star game or stadium naming rights?

So it's the ASG. The surprise is the opponent for the MLS All Stars--Fulham FC.

I guess MLS figure McBride's return will be a big draw. They're probably right.

I'm in the camp that says we should dump the ASG. I've been to one, and the most exciting thing was the lightning storm that stopped play for an hour and a half. My kids did enjoy the events the day before, and had a chance to meet the players, get autographs, and all that.

In the end, MLS clearly doesn't want an All Star Game. They want an MLS All Star Team to play a foreign club. Fine. Call it the Challenge Cup or something like that. If it gets attention and isn't taken as a joke by the club that's brought in to play the MLS team, then it can be a good thing.

We'll see.

Jose Luis Luviano · 03-08-2005, 09:54 AM

War All Star Games whose first halves end with zero goals and one yellow card (Like MLS Chivas in 2003).