Dynamo Majority Owner Gabriel Brener has "expressed interest in selling his share of the team," according to sources cited by THE ATHLETIC. It is "not clear how far along Brener -- whose ownership interest also includes the NWSL's Houston Dash -- is in that process," or to what degree the Dash "would be involved in a sale." Brener first joined the ownership group in late '07 and bought out AEG’s remaining 50% stake in late '15. Meanwhile, sources said that the Dynamo are "considering significant changes to their branding which could be adopted as early as this offseason," as the club "continues to explore ways to increase its prominence within Houston." Those changes may include a "new crest, club name, colors, or some combination of the three." Despite operating in the fourth-largest U.S. city, the team has "more closely resembled a small-market club with its operation," and it has "routinely been among MLS's lowest-spending clubs." In '19, the club ranked 20th out of 24 teams in average attendance, and that attendance figure has "decreased for five consecutive years." After peaking at 20,658 in '15, the club has seen a near 25% "drop in attendance year over year despite playing in a soccer-specific downtown stadium." A club spokesperson said that season ticket sales "haven’t dipped amid the COVID-19 pandemic." According to the club, the Dynamo sold 15.6% "more 2020 season tickets than they did" for '19, and the club is "already up" nearly 10% for the '21 season (THEATHLETIC.com, 9/9).
FANS IN THE STANDS: The Dynamo and Dash yesterday announced that games will be "open to a limited number of fans at BBVA Stadium." In Houston, Glynn Hill reports "up to 3,000 fans" -- 13.6% of the stadium’s official capacity (22,039) -- will be allowed at games through the reopening plan. Dash and Dynamo season ticket holders will have "first access to tickets for each team’s respective matches" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 9/10).
