Legendary boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, founder of global sports promotion organization Golden Boy Promotions, and longtime business partner Gabriel Brener, chairman & CEO of Brener International Group, have entered into an agreement to acquire significant ownership interests in the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer (MLS), it was announced at a press conference by Timothy J. Leiweke, president and CEO of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG).
Current owner/operators of the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Dynamo, AEG will retain ownership shares in the club and continue to operate the franchise in partnership with the new ownership group, according to Oliver Luck, president and general manager of the Houston Dynamo.
"Having Oscar and Gabriel as our partners in Houston is the right alliance in the right market at the right time," said Leiweke. "With Gabriel and his family's strong ties and commitment to Houston, our organization will have an even more significant, positive impact and influence within the community."
"Oscar and our organization go back many years, and having the ability to tap into his business background and marketing philosophies will be an asset for this team that the fans will see the benefits of from today forward," Leiweke added. "Together this ownership group will continue to build a model franchise and make it our highest priority to find a home for the Dynamo in the Houston metro area."
"I'm a huge soccer fan and have been very impressed with the progress MLS and especially the Houston Dynamo have made in recent years. I also appreciate how much soccer, like boxing, appeals to the Hispanic community. I'm very excited to be part of such a top-notch organization," said De La Hoya.
Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Enterprises, added, "We are very pleased to join the Houston family. The association with Brener, AEG and the Dynamo is very much in keeping with our philosophy to partner with the best organizations and individuals out there. We look forward to being part of the team's growth."
"We are proud to team up once again with our friend and partner Oscar De La Hoya and honored to partner with the dynamic AEG organization," said Brener. "Brener International Group, LLC favors investing in the best of the best, and the Houston Dynamo clearly belongs in this category with its superb management, coaching staff, players, and most importantly, the fans. Not to mention this deal fits perfectly with our strategy of investing in sports and entertainment that appeal to both Hispanic and Anglo markets."
In addition to consecutive league titles, the Dynamo advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the semifinals of the first-ever SuperLiga in 2007. Dynamo star Pat Onstad became the first goalkeeper to win three MLS Cup Championships, and Onstad was a force behind the team's modern-day, professional team sports shutout record of 727 minutes without allowing a goal. Dwayne De Rosario became the league's first two-time MLS Cup MVP.
Aside from the team's on-field success in 2006 and 2007, the Dynamo enjoyed three consecutive record-setting crowds of more than 30,000 toward the end of last season. Dynamo home ticket sales grew 49 percent in 2007 compared to the team's inaugural season in Houston and expanded its season ticket base by similar figures. Sponsorship increased by 73 percent. The franchise was also nominated for El Premio de la Gente (Sports Team of the Year) by TV Azteca. Dynamo players were honored at the White House and the Texas State Capitol in 2007.
"We are very excited about the involvement that Oscar De La Hoya and Gabriel Brener will have in the organization," said Luck. "Everyone associated with the Houston Dynamo looks forward to having them in our organization and working with them to continue to build the best possible MLS franchise."
