NHL Kings co-Owner Philip Anschutz has an agreement to
acquire a 49% interest in the MLS Galaxy, according to
sources of Liz Mullen of the SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. While
the L.A. Soccer Partners may still own a small stake in the
team under the terms of the deal, Anschutz paid a higher
price than the $25M former U.S. Soccer Federation President
Alan Rothenberg's group paid for a 49% stake in the Clash.
Anschutz has set up a new, unnamed company just for the
acquisition of the Galaxy and named NHL Kings President Tim
Leiweke to run it. Mullen reports that NHL Kings co-Owner
Ed Roski is not an investor in the Galaxy deal and New
Coliseum Partners Exec VP John Semcken said that there have
been no talks between Anschutz and Roski about the Galaxy
playing games at the proposed new stadium in L.A. that would
also be home to an NFL expansion team. Sources said that
while the Galaxy has two years left on its five year lease
at the Rose Bowl, the team has the ability to opt out of the
deal each of the last two years. Details of the sale are
expected to be announced Friday (THE DAILY).
MORE DETAILS: In L.A., Grahame Jones reports that
Anschutz, who also operates the MLS Fire and Rapids, paid
$26M for the Galaxy. MLS Commissioner Doug Logan said that
"he has no qualms" about Anschutz now owning one-quarter of
MLS's 12 teams. Leiweke, who said his role in the team will
be "active," will meet with Galaxy staff and players today
to "outline plans for the future" (L.A. TIMES, 10/22).
