MLS has agreed to sell Chivas USA to an “undisclosed investment group for a fee in the neighborhood” of $100M, and “going on hiatus is a condition of the sale,” according to a source cited by Jeff Carlisle of ESPN FC. Sources said that the club “will suspend operations” at the end of the ’14 regular season. Chivas USA is “expected to go dark for a minimum of two years until the new ownership group can plan and build a new stadium for the team.” MLS has “confirmed the land in Exposition Park where the L.A. Sports Arena sites as a potential site.” The hiatus also will “allow the club to be rebranded with a new name” (ESPNFC.com, 9/29).
PROSPECTIVE OWNER? Malaysian businessman and U.K. soccer club Cardiff City Owner Vincent Tan said that if his club -- which was relegated following the ’13-14 season -- returns to the EPL, “he might consider selling.” Tan said, “I’m looking to buy another club in Europe and then I may invest in a club in the U.S., the MLS” (
BBC.com, 9/29). NBCSPORTS.com’s Kyle Bonn wrote Tan “would definitely bring a new personality” to MLS and “despite many people questioning his ability to effectively lead a functional soccer organization, Tan believes his love for the sport gives him an edge” (
NBCSPORTS.com, 9/29).
