It is difficult to imagine where U.S. soccer would be without Philip Anschutz. Along with a select few cronies, including Lamar Hunt, Anschutz's passion, vision and capital served as the foundation of Major League Soccer throughout its first decade.
But the head of Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which currently owns and operates four MLS teams (the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo and D.C. United), notoriously shuns the spotlight, and such was the case on Monday as he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
New York Red Bulls midfielder Chris Henderson presented the multi-millionaire to his adoring public, rightly praising Anschutz's conviction, business sense and commitment to the sport. Anschutz stepped to podium, put on his traditional red Hall of Fame blazer and spoke for barely one minute. He departed even before the ceremony had concluded.
"It's been a tremendous privilege to be involved in the game for as long as I have," said Anschutz. "I am very proud of my involvement."
Anschutz enters the Hall of Fame as a member of the 2006 class that also includes U.S. women's national team star Carla Overbeck, Al Trost, who captained the U.S. men's national team in the 1970s and Alexi Lalas, who is currently employed by Anschutz as the president and general manager of the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"When I was given the opportunity to be a GM in Major League Soccer, I did what anybody does who has no clue what they're doing: I went out and bought a 'Business for Dummies' book and clearly on the first page it says that when you're in a public setting and you have the chance to suck up to the boss, do so," Lalas said during his induction address. "So let me tell you something about Phil Anschutz: He's one of the most intelligent (men) I've ever met and he's one of the best looking gentlemen I've ever met. He has that equally beautiful and intelligent wife Nancy."
MLS commissioner Don Garber didn't have reason to "suck up," but he did thank Anschutz for his continued support of the league and the game as a whole.
"Phil Anschutz, through his vision and through his commitment and his contributions has taken the sport to a higher level where now we can rival all the other major sports here and around the world," he said.
"There are a lot of folks in the soccer community, whether they know it or not, directly or indirectly have benefited from Phil Anschutz and his involvement in the sport," added Lalas. "He has kept a lot of us employed for a number of years, and for that I am forever thankful. But what lot of people don't necessarily understand, because he is so private, is this incredible passion that he has for the game and the belief he has not just for the game, but for the people involved in the game.
"He's like all good businessmen in that he's able to see things in the future and capitalize on them. He looks at soccer not only as a sport but also as a business and he recognizes the business of soccer and sees an incredible potential, not just in terms of financial gain but in terms of creating a legacy and something lasting with the sport. That's important and that's a wonderful person to have behind you."
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
