Spring Break
Soccer team to stay in San Jose
Amaya Wiegert
Daily Staff Writer
- Page 1 of 1
"I'm glad they're staying for another year," said Michael Marcello, a junior at San Jose State University majoring in kinesiology. "Hopefully they'll stay for some more (years)."
Jed Mettee, director of media relations for the Earthquakes, said Anschutz Entertainment Group, or AEG, the team's owner, is looking to sell the team but decided to keep it in San Jose for now.
"They're still talking to investor groups," Mettee said.
The news of the team remaining temporarily in San Jose came after the deadline for local businessman Tony Amanpour to put down part of the money for a sale passed on Oct. 29.
Mettee said he wasn't certain why Amanpour did not end up placing a down payment on the team.
"He was going to put some money down and he didn't put some money down," Mettee said. "He's out right now."
Alexi Lalas, president and general manager of the Earthquakes, said although the experience with Amanpour didn't result in a business transaction, it was still positive.
"It really illustrates the fact that we're willing to leave no stone unturned to try to find an acceptable long-term solution for the Earthquakes," Lalas said. "We don't like to close the door on any options or any solutions."
Amanpour could not be reached for comment.
Lalas said he couldn't give specific numbers on how much the team was going to be sold for to Amanpour, but said that AEG was concerned with the long-term viability and the long-term success of this league.
"We need to find interests where there is support and we need to be in markets where it makes long-term sense ... we believe it can be done in the Bay Area but if not, there are other places in this country where it can be done," Lalas said.
The team is continuing to talk to potential groups and individuals, some of whom are committed to the Bay Area and some of whom are not, Lalas said.
Mettee said the price of the team depends on a couple of factors and there is no set price.
"Generally, a Major League Soccer team has gone for $10 million," Mettee said.
Lalas said the team is very open about the fact that it is up for sale and said he thinks it would be "wonderful" if they could fi nd a person or group of people within the Bay Area that would be local owner investors.
He said the reality of the situation is that Spartan Stadium, where the team has been playing since it was first formed in 1996, is more than 70 years old.
"Our league's long-term future is contingent upon the ability to be in markets where we control soccerspecific stadiums," Lalas said. For the 2005 season, the team will remain at the Spartan Stadium, said Anne Palmer, general manager of Spartan Stadium.
Palmer said the university spoke with AEG about a year-and-a-half ago on renovating the Stadium, but she said the idea was not an attractive solution to either of them.
If the Earthquakes do leave the Bay Area, their parting would be a loss for the stadium, Palmer said.
"We'll lose our core primary tenant," Palmer said.
"There's a lot to be said for hosting a professional team in your facility in terms of bringing recognition to the stadium and the university and the city, as well as the revenues it entails," she said.
She said the stadium is currently working on a financial model that includes the exodus of the Earthquakes and looks at other revenue streams. "We have had great success with hosting international soccer games in the past and hope to book more of those in the future as well as other events."
Some SJSU students, such as Allisen Sachs, a sophomore occupational therapy major, were "stoked" the team would be around for another year.
"I love it when there's local teams and stuff that you can go and support and say, like, 'yeah, they're from my city,' " said Sachs, who played soccer from age five until about age 17. "(Soccer)'s a good sport to have around."
Others weren't too concerned with whether or not the team remained local.
"I wasn't even aware they were going to possibly relocate," said Sean Johnson, an occupational therapy junior, adding that he doesn't really follow the team.
Andres Valencia, a senior business management major, said he understood why the team might have to relocate even though it has a lot of support in the Bay Area.
"I'd like them to stay, but I guess
a new stadium would have to be
built," Valencia said. "I don't think
that's going to happen."
