By Rick Horrow and Karla Swatek
September 28, 2012
AEG has rejected Houston Rockets owner Les Alexander’s bid to purchase the MLS Dynamo and the team’s 30-year lease on BBVA Compass Stadium. Alexander and AEG had been in the final stages of negotiations for more than a month. Phil Anschutz reportedly has been preparing his AEG sale for a while, meaning Alexander likely knew about it when he began negotiations for the Dynamo. With no reason given for AEG rejecting the offer, the decision is all the more surprising. The Dynamo now will be a part of AEG’s potential sale, which could fetch up to $8 billion for assets including Staples Center, LA Live, and the Los Angeles Kings.
In other Dynamo news, soda brand Big Red has seen a spike in sales after using its sponsorship of the team to market to Hispanic fans. Big Red’s sales volume reportedly is up 40% in Houston, where more than 500,000 Hispanic consumers have been exposed to the brand through Dyanmo-related activation. At least you can bet on one sponsor sticking around, regardless of who the next owner is.
