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Lamar Hunt representing the Hunt family announced yesterday that the organization has completed the sale of the family's interest in the Kansas City Wizards and their related interest in Soccer United Marketing (SUM) to a six person group of Kansas City area residents led by Cerner Corporation executives Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig.</DIV>
<DIV class=graphiclt>The purchasing group also includes Pat Curran, David French, Greg Maday and Robb Heineman. Biographical information on all six investors is attached.
The acquiring entity is OnGoal LLC. The purchase documents were signed yesterday and the new ownership group will take over operation of the Wizards on September 1. All current Wizards employees will continue with the organization.
The Hunts have been an Investor-Operator in Major League Soccer since the league began in 1996, and have operated the Wizards for 10 plus seasons. The organization has brought several significant championships to Kansas City, including
</DIV><UL><LI><DIV class=graphiclt>2000 MLS Supporter's Shield - best regular season record </DIV></LI>[/list]<UL><LI>2000 MLS Cup - 1-0 over the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. <LI>2004 U.S. Open Cup - 1-0 over the Chicago Fire at Arrowhead Stadium </LI>[/list]
The team also was the runner up in the 2004 MLS Cup where they were edged by DC United 3-2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
During the 10 plus years the team has compiled a 138-140-55 regular season record, an 11-13-3 playoff record and qualified for the MLS playoffs seven times. They are currently fighting for a position in the 2007 playoffs with only 6 games left in the tight Eastern Conference race.
Lamar Hunt, who has been involved in the professional sports scene in Kansas City for 44 years, concluded the announcement with these remarks:
We are especially pleased to have been able to consummate this transaction with the end result that the Wizards will remain in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. We had numerous inquiries from potential investors who wanted to move the team to other communities. Fortunately, the leadership of OnGoal have a passion for the Heart of America and I am convinced that they will achieve the much-needed Soccer-Specific-Stadium for the area and contribute to the long-range success of MLS.
We are delighted that Cliff and Neal and the other members of OnGoal have been added to the ownership group of MLS. They bring the total different ownership groups to nine for the 13 MLS teams. The addition of committed, financially able partners further strengthens the league. The Hunts have continuing financial involvement in MLS in Columbus and Dallas, and we welcome the addition of the new MLS partners in Kansas City.
I want to mention the dedication of Hunt Sports Group's President John Wagner, and my son Clark, who worked very hard on this sale. Beginning with our announcement of the intention to sell in December 2004, it took us almost two years, but their efforts made it happen.
We want to thank the many employees both on and off the field who have been dedicated disciples for the organization. General Manager Curt Johnson has labored long and hard and helped craft competitive teams on the field. Our former coach Bob Gansler won three significant championships for the organization and I would be remiss if I did not mention four employees who have been here from "Day One" - Evelyn Bray, Dan ****gard, Martie Harter and Chet North.
The final story of the "success" of Major League Soccer has yet to be written. In my opinion it is well on the way and certain to come. The recent completion by MLS of five new long-term TV contracts with ABC, ESPN, Univision, Fox Soccer Channe
Lamar Hunt representing the Hunt family announced yesterday that the organization has completed the sale of the family's interest in the Kansas City Wizards and their related interest in Soccer United Marketing (SUM) to a six person group of Kansas City area residents led by Cerner Corporation executives Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig.</DIV><DIV class=graphiclt>The purchasing group also includes Pat Curran, David French, Greg Maday and Robb Heineman. Biographical information on all six investors is attached.
The acquiring entity is OnGoal LLC. The purchase documents were signed yesterday and the new ownership group will take over operation of the Wizards on September 1. All current Wizards employees will continue with the organization.
The Hunts have been an Investor-Operator in Major League Soccer since the league began in 1996, and have operated the Wizards for 10 plus seasons. The organization has brought several significant championships to Kansas City, including
</DIV><UL><LI><DIV class=graphiclt>2000 MLS Supporter's Shield - best regular season record </DIV></LI>[/list]<UL><LI>2000 MLS Cup - 1-0 over the Chicago Fire at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. <LI>2004 U.S. Open Cup - 1-0 over the Chicago Fire at Arrowhead Stadium </LI>[/list]
The team also was the runner up in the 2004 MLS Cup where they were edged by DC United 3-2 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
During the 10 plus years the team has compiled a 138-140-55 regular season record, an 11-13-3 playoff record and qualified for the MLS playoffs seven times. They are currently fighting for a position in the 2007 playoffs with only 6 games left in the tight Eastern Conference race.
Lamar Hunt, who has been involved in the professional sports scene in Kansas City for 44 years, concluded the announcement with these remarks:
We are especially pleased to have been able to consummate this transaction with the end result that the Wizards will remain in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. We had numerous inquiries from potential investors who wanted to move the team to other communities. Fortunately, the leadership of OnGoal have a passion for the Heart of America and I am convinced that they will achieve the much-needed Soccer-Specific-Stadium for the area and contribute to the long-range success of MLS.
We are delighted that Cliff and Neal and the other members of OnGoal have been added to the ownership group of MLS. They bring the total different ownership groups to nine for the 13 MLS teams. The addition of committed, financially able partners further strengthens the league. The Hunts have continuing financial involvement in MLS in Columbus and Dallas, and we welcome the addition of the new MLS partners in Kansas City.
I want to mention the dedication of Hunt Sports Group's President John Wagner, and my son Clark, who worked very hard on this sale. Beginning with our announcement of the intention to sell in December 2004, it took us almost two years, but their efforts made it happen.
We want to thank the many employees both on and off the field who have been dedicated disciples for the organization. General Manager Curt Johnson has labored long and hard and helped craft competitive teams on the field. Our former coach Bob Gansler won three significant championships for the organization and I would be remiss if I did not mention four employees who have been here from "Day One" - Evelyn Bray, Dan ****gard, Martie Harter and Chet North.
The final story of the "success" of Major League Soccer has yet to be written. In my opinion it is well on the way and certain to come. The recent completion by MLS of five new long-term TV contracts with ABC, ESPN, Univision, Fox Soccer Channe