DENVER (Tuesday, September 23, 2003) – Major League Soccer (MLS) Commissioner and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) Chief Executive Officer Don Garber announced today that Kroenke Sports Enterprises today purchased Denver’s Major League Soccer club, the Colorado Rapids, and announced that the team will play in a new stadium to be tentatively built by 2006.
‘The addition of Kroenke Sports Enterprises to the Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing investor group represents yet another landmark moment in the history of our League and the development of soccer in America,’ said Garber. ‘In eight short years we’ve laid the foundation for a truly great professional sports league and this new investment by KSE is a resounding endorsement of our progress. We couldn’t be more pleased to add an investor of the caliber of Stan Kroenke to our League.’
Kroenke Sports Enterprises has purchased the Colorado Rapids, which has played in Denver since 1996, from the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Prior to the formation of AEG, Philip F. Anschutz operated the Rapids upon his investment in MLS and retained an option for a Chicago MLS team, which he exercised in 1998. In addition to the Chicago Fire, AEG operates three-time MLS champion D.C. United, the San Jose Earthquakes, the MetroStars and the defending MLS champion Los Angeles Galaxy. Lamar Hunt and the Hunt Sports group operate three MLS teams: the Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn and Kansas City Wizards, while Kraft Group Sports operate the New England Revolution.
Kroenke Sports also becomes an investor in Soccer United Marketing (SUM), which represents all commercial rights for Major League Soccer as well as the English-language broadcast rights for the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup and the English-language broadcast, local sponsorship, and host broadcaster rights for the 2003 Women’s World Cup. Additionally, SUM is the largest promoter of international soccer matches in the United States including the exclusive U.S. promoter and marketing representative for the Mexican National Team. Terms of the purchase will not be disclosed.
‘Kroenke Sports is committing to providing a soccer experience that grows the sport from youth leagues to the professional level,’ said David Ehrlich, executive vice president, Kroenke Sports. ‘That commitment includes resources for our community’s children and facilities for a league-leading team.’
Kroenke Sports will announce details of stadium location, cost and design at a future date. Kroenke Sports expects to have a new stadium, designed specifically for soccer play, built by 2006. The stadium will join the 19,000-seat Pepsi Center arena, 4,400-seat Universal Lending Pavilion outdoor amphitheatre, and 1,200-seat Paramount Theatre as Kroenke Sports Enterprises owned and operated entertainment venues.
A number of locations are under consideration, said Ehrlich. The proposed stadium site will likely include soccer fields for youth and adult league use. Ehrlich pointed to the multi-use Anschutz Entertainment Group-owned Home Depot Center in Carson, California as a potential model for the new stadium.
‘The Colorado Rapids, AEG’s initial acquisition into MLS, has been an important asset to our organization since day one. Although we are selling this asset, we are doing so with the belief that the Kroenke Sports will do a phenomenal job continuing the success of the Rapids,’ said Timothy J. Leiweke, president & CEO of AEG. ‘The acquisition is great news for the Rapids and their fans and equally great news for MLS to have the Kroenke Sports and the synergies of all of its other Colorado-based sports holdings on board. It is new partnerships like this along with the imminent expansion of MLS that point to a thriving league and an even brighter horizon for the future of soccer in this country,’ Leiweke added. ‘We congratulate Stan Kroenke and welcome him to our League.’
The Colorado Rapids becomes the fourth team wholly owned by Kroenke Sports Enterprises. The NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche and NLL Colorado Mammoth also are owned by Kroenke Sports. Kroenke Sports is part-owner of the AFL Colorado Crush.
‘The addition of the Rapids to our company made sense,’ said Ehrlich. ‘Colorado has the best sports fans in the country and the success of the Rapids is a welcome addition to the success enjoyed by our other teams.’
Last year the Colorado Rapids led MLS teams in average home attendance. The Colorado Mammoth, playing its first season in Denver, had the highest average attendance in the National Lacrosse League and the Colorado Avalanche continues to build on the National Hockey League’s record for most consecutive sold-out games.
‘The Rapids are excited and enthusiastic to be joining such a dynamic, successful and committed sports organization,’ said Dan Counce, general manager of the Colorado Rapids. ‘Not many professional teams have the opportunity to be associated with such sports visionaries as Mr. Phil Anschutz and now Mr. Stan Kroenke. The Rapids will be forever grateful to Mr. Anschutz and AEG, but we are very excited about the future of the club with Kroenke Sports.’
Charlie Wright, Kroenke Sports’ vice president of new business development, will oversee the team’s operation for KSE.
For more details contact:
Simon Borg
+1 212 450 1200
+1 212 450 1300
sborg@mlsnet.com
www.mlsnet.com