The Kansas City Wizards' organization is no longer in limbo and the team itself couldn't be happier about that development.
Amidst a backdrop of blue and white balloons and with music blaring "standing on top of the world", the Wizards had reason to create a festive atmosphere on Thursday. After nearly two years of waiting and wondering, the Wizards announced the club has been sold by the Lamar Hunt family to a group led by Cerner Corporation co-founders Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig. Wizards' players and coach Brian Bliss, all wearing coats and ties, made the trip to suburban Overland Park en masse following an introductory morning meeting with the new owners.
"This is something that has been going on for 20 or 21 months," Bliss said. "In the back of the players' minds, as well as front office and coaches, we never knew if we were going to have an existence beyond the next week or the next month or the next year.
"This announcement today gives us closure. It's a great day for the Wizards and a great day for the new ownership group. I think it's even a great day for the Hunts. Even though they sold the team and have a heavy heart about that, they were able to get it done with local people who are committed to keeping the team in the Kansas City area."
The Wizards, despite suffering through a prolonged drought earlier this season, retain hopes of making the MLS Cup Playoffs. Those hopes were bolstered on Wednesday night when Kansas City played to a 2-2 tie against the New York Red Bulls.
Now that the ownership situation has been resolved and plans intensify for funding to build a soccer-specific stadium in Overland Park, the Wizards don't have that distraction to deal with any longer.
"You never like to use that as an excuse, but those things tend to affect the way you go about your daily job," Bliss said. "Hopefully, this announcement will be one that bolsters our guys on the mental side for these last six games. We have what it takes on the physical side. This could give us that added boost that will enable us to make a strong push for the playoffs."
In terms of the long-range picture, Bliss thinks a soccer-specific stadium in Overland Park (Johnson County) makes perfect sense for the organization.
"A large part of our fan base is from Johnson County," Bliss said. "If Johnson County is willing to build a destination spot with youth fields, stadium, retail and entertainment, I think it would be a benefit for everyone, both from an economical and image standpoint."
Wizards' defender Jimmy Conrad, who has lived through the uncertainty of the last 21 months within the organization, had a big smile on his face after Thursday's news conference.
"It's amazing because we've been in limbo for almost two years," Conrad said. "It's just nice to know we don't have to worry about moving to Philadelphia or Tulsa or San Antonio. We can go to bed at night knowing this is where we're going to be. All we have to worry about is performing on the field. It's great to be in that position again."
The energy and enthusiasm of the new ownership group has convinced Conrad that there are exciting days ahead for the Wizards.
"They are really gung-ho with their vision," Conrad said. "They have great plans for the stadium and the future of the team."
Although it's early in the process, Conrad added that he's confident Kansas City will eventually have a soccer-specific stadium that will rival the best venues in Major League Soccer.
"Once the public sees the plans that these guys have, it's going to be hard not to want to be part of it," Conrad said. "They have plans for an amazing complex and it gives me goose bumps just thinking about the possibilities."
Robert Falkoff is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
