MLS accepted an offer from the Kraft Sports Group (KSG)
to acquire operating control of the Clash. KSG, which owns
the Revolution and the Patriots, will assume control of the
team immediately (MLS). MLS had been negotiating a sale of
the Clash to a group headed by league founder Alan
Rothenberg and Japanese ad agency Dentsu, Inc., but in San
Jose, Jody Meacham writes that the deal collapsed as
Rothenberg's "biggest hurdle" was Dentsu's "financial
problems." Rothenberg could not be reached for comment.
MLS Commissioner Doug Logan: "The difficulties arose out of
what is a global situation. That being said, I think the
fact we got a competing and better offer from existing
investors is extraordinarily good news." Kraft's purchase
price of the team "was announced only as more than the $25
million Rothenberg's group was to pay." Clash President &
GM Peter Bridgwater said that while his position with the
team "is not totally clarified," he "probably will stay on"
(MERCURY NEWS, 11/19). In Boston, Frank Dell'Apa reports
that the $25M-plus price is "five times the amount" KSG
invested in the Revolution in '95 (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/19).
