BREAKING!: Red Bull Completes MetroStars Purchase and Name Change What has been speculated upon for the past week has just been confirmed via press release from Major League Soccer: Red Bull have purchased the MetroStars.
Foto articolo
Below is the full press release:
Red Bull Company Limited, the Austrian company that produces the world’s leading energy drink, today finalized an agreement to purchase the MetroStars of Major League Soccer and partner with AEG on the construction of the team’s soccer-specific stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. With the purchase, the team will be re-branded as “Red Bull New York”, including a new logo, uniforms and team colors to take effect immediately.
Red Bull’s agreement with AEG, the team’s former investor-operator, was approved by the MLS Board of Governors today, and includes the two companies joining together to invest in the custom-built stadium for the team in Harrison. As part of the agreement, Red Bull also purchased naming rights to the soccer-specific stadium. Red Bull will have a 50 percent ownership stake in the facility, and AEG will remain responsible for constructing, managing and booking the venue.
“The addition of Red Bull into our group of owners is a landmark moment for Major League Soccer and for all Tri-State area soccer fans,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz brings international credibility and proven, innovative marketing expertise to Major League Soccer. His presence on the MLS Board of Governors provides another authentic, avid soccer fan to our diversifying set of investors.”
Red Bull New York’s team emblem, unveiled today on www.newyorkredbulls.com, features two bulls charging toward a soccer ball. The team opens its 2006 campaign on Sunday, April 2 against D.C. United at RFK Stadium (5 p.m. ET). The team’s home opener at Giants Stadium is Saturday, April 8 against the New England Revolution (7:30 p.m.). The Red Bull New York uniforms will be unveiled soon.
With Red Bull’s eastern regional offices located in Hoboken, N.J., its commitment to the metropolitan New York area team suits both the company and Major League Soccer. In recent years, Red Bull has increased its investment in professional sports, including NASCAR, extreme sports and Formula One auto racing. In professional soccer, it has transformed Red Bull Salzburg into one of Austria’s leading first division clubs by signing impact players and using innovative marketing to increase attendance.
For a related , recent Goal.com article on the topic click here.
Full Version: Official New York Red Bulls Discussion Thread
I'd really hate something like that to happen to my team but I guess the nature of sport is very different in American compared to the UK. Seems to be a fairly common thing to happen.
Has any MLS fans on here had their team move away or bought over like the above? How did it feel and did you still feel the same connection to the "new" club?
Has any MLS fans on here had their team move away or bought over like the above? How did it feel and did you still feel the same connection to the "new" club?
I HATE THE NAME CHANGE!!!
I'm indifferent to the actual sale for the most part. I think it is good that AEG owns FEWER teams. I'd like it if they only owned one, however, this is a step in the right direction.
But the name change is very lame.
Standfree,
My team is the Chicago Fire, nothing like that has happened to them. There have been a few other changes like this in the MLS. San Jose Quakes moved to Houston and are now Houston Dynamo. To be honest, I'm not sure if a sale was involved there. Tampa Bay folded. Right now Kansas City is looking for a buyer.
I'm indifferent to the actual sale for the most part. I think it is good that AEG owns FEWER teams. I'd like it if they only owned one, however, this is a step in the right direction.
But the name change is very lame.
Standfree,
My team is the Chicago Fire, nothing like that has happened to them. There have been a few other changes like this in the MLS. San Jose Quakes moved to Houston and are now Houston Dynamo. To be honest, I'm not sure if a sale was involved there. Tampa Bay folded. Right now Kansas City is looking for a buyer.
If Red Bull is willing to put $30 million on the table for the Metrostars, there is no way that AEG will reject that. Its the buisness world. The name is terrible, and likely the jerseys will look like shit. The product on the field should still be the same though. (0 titles in 10 years.)
I was quite shocked to hear this, I really hadn't heard any speculative talks whatsoever. Still, can't be bad for MLS to be gaining more foreign investors, and like Josh said, I'd rather not have all the eggs in AEG's basket.
Still, the name change is terrible. I prefer something that keeps the old name alive like the "Red Bull Metrostars" or something, I don't know. Maybe their jerseys will have wings.
Still, the name change is terrible. I prefer something that keeps the old name alive like the "Red Bull Metrostars" or something, I don't know. Maybe their jerseys will have wings.
QUOTE(fakemadrid @ Mar 9 2006, 02:34 PM) 
I was quite shocked to hear this, I really hadn't heard any speculative talks whatsoever. Still, can't be bad for MLS to be gaining more foreign investors, and like Josh said, I'd rather not have all the eggs in AEG's basket.
Still, the name change is terrible. I prefer something that keeps the old name alive like the "Red Bull Metrostars" or something, I don't know. Maybe their jerseys will have wings.
lol i hope the do put on some damnn wings and win flipping titles this season although is unlikely since we only depend on our midfield to score. our fowards suck , i hope Djorkaeff and Guevara will do some magic this season as the did last season , and i hope Mike magee will wake up and actually do the job of a striker and score some goals . the name change is not that bad with me they are actually gona be called the Redbulls. and not redbull NY which sound ridiculously retarted. the GM Alexi Lalas claims the Jerseys look good we are in for a surprise com April 8th lol. i hope its not a surprise that will give a us a heart attack
Oh My god its not actually a joke is it? this is worse than real salt lake, houston 1855 and the "CD" in front of Chivas USA.
Another thorn in MLS's side:
Apparently there is a law in NJ that states that a team with just a New York name is not permitted to play in NJ, hence the NY/NJ Metrostars. The Giants and Jets were grandfathered into this clause. Anyway, this could possibly effect the New York Red Bulls, causing yet another MLS name change (Houston 1856 - Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wiz - Kansas City Wizards, San Jose Clash - San Jose Earthquakes).
Apparently there is a law in NJ that states that a team with just a New York name is not permitted to play in NJ, hence the NY/NJ Metrostars. The Giants and Jets were grandfathered into this clause. Anyway, this could possibly effect the New York Red Bulls, causing yet another MLS name change (Houston 1856 - Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wiz - Kansas City Wizards, San Jose Clash - San Jose Earthquakes).
red bull?
can the name get any worst
can the name get any worst
The name could get worse.
I don't know if it could get any worst though.
I don't know if it could get any worst though.
they could have named it red bull football club... that could have been worst, and then make their austrian club the "A" team and we'd have our hands full of a bunch of funky austrians...
personaly, i dont mind that companies like Red bull come in and buy a team, but if they name the team and incorperate the companies logo into the team logo, i dont really like that too much... but as their own company nameing the stadium after itself and be the kit sponcer, i really dont mind... marketing can and will only go so far...
i showed this news to my business management teacher (who hates sports with passion) and he thought it was over the line between business and consumer...
personaly, i dont mind that companies like Red bull come in and buy a team, but if they name the team and incorperate the companies logo into the team logo, i dont really like that too much... but as their own company nameing the stadium after itself and be the kit sponcer, i really dont mind... marketing can and will only go so far...
i showed this news to my business management teacher (who hates sports with passion) and he thought it was over the line between business and consumer...
I agree.
If they changed it to Red Bull FC, it wouldn't be that bad.
But how they have the company's logo as the team crest...blah.
I just think it's a little too far.
If they changed it to Red Bull FC, it wouldn't be that bad.
But how they have the company's logo as the team crest...blah.
I just think it's a little too far.
name's not that bad.
well get used to it ;x
well get used to it ;x
QUOTE(diadOrapremiere @ Mar 25 2006, 03:32 PM)
name's not that bad.
well get used to it ;x
thats whay i thought. New York Red bulls. does'nt sound that bad, but no New york fan cares anyway all we care about is some flipping titles which we lack and are craving.
The MLS is such a big joke C'mon "Red Bull New York" 
QUOTE(Juventus234 @ Mar 25 2006, 10:07 PM)
The MLS is such a big joke C'mon "Red Bull New York"
yeah why don't you just keep hating.
and at the same time, you can keep ignoring the fact that this first happend in Austria, which is in Europe.
QUOTE(Sushi-Man @ Mar 26 2006, 09:37 AM)
yeah why don't you just keep hating.
and at the same time, you can keep ignoring the fact that this first happend in Austria, which is in Europe.
BTW, http://www.ultras.at/tradition/index-en.shtml , thats their fans reaction to it.
i think it's hilarious how hypocritical the European clubs are.
they let major corporations name their stadiums, they let major corporations print their logos all over their uniforms, but as soon as the team name becomes involved, it's like the world has ended.
it's impossible to avoid the negative effects of capitalism while you try to make money at the same time. you can't have it both ways.
they let major corporations name their stadiums, they let major corporations print their logos all over their uniforms, but as soon as the team name becomes involved, it's like the world has ended.
it's impossible to avoid the negative effects of capitalism while you try to make money at the same time. you can't have it both ways.
I agree with the Austrian Salzburg supporters, one thing is to have a corporate owner/sponsor, another thing is to change the name of the club!
This is ridiculous...
LOOK AT THAT LOGO - Pass the vomit bag please
As a New Yorker I want to clearly state that I DO NOT want the name of New York to be attached or even remotely related to that club. "The Metrostars" (horrible name BTW ) have always played in New Jersey, and as Red Bull, their new stadium will be in New Jersey - therefore call them "Red Bull New Jersey".
I play for Manhattan Soccer Club in New York City. It is the largest youth soccer club in New York City and I play at a wonderful small stadium located in New York called Icahn Stadium. I think it would be great if private investors took my youth club, invested money, and created a professional side as an extension of the youth club. They could also expand Icahn Stadium. This way, New York could have a respectable professional soccer club, with a real soccer specific stadium and a name which is indicative of its location, not a company or a stupid nick name.
The people who run the MLS have no clue about the sport. I know it is nearly impossible to create a strong fan base for a league that is in its infancy but seriously;, corporate names, cheesy jerseys and rented American football stadiums are not the way to develop strong supporters.
This is ridiculous...
LOOK AT THAT LOGO - Pass the vomit bag please
As a New Yorker I want to clearly state that I DO NOT want the name of New York to be attached or even remotely related to that club. "The Metrostars" (horrible name BTW
) have always played in New Jersey, and as Red Bull, their new stadium will be in New Jersey - therefore call them "Red Bull New Jersey". I play for Manhattan Soccer Club in New York City. It is the largest youth soccer club in New York City and I play at a wonderful small stadium located in New York called Icahn Stadium. I think it would be great if private investors took my youth club, invested money, and created a professional side as an extension of the youth club. They could also expand Icahn Stadium. This way, New York could have a respectable professional soccer club, with a real soccer specific stadium and a name which is indicative of its location, not a company or a stupid nick name.
The people who run the MLS have no clue about the sport. I know it is nearly impossible to create a strong fan base for a league that is in its infancy but seriously;, corporate names, cheesy jerseys and rented American football stadiums are not the way to develop strong supporters.
QUOTE(D. Andres -7- @ Apr 6 2006, 09:11 PM)
I think it would be great if private investors took my youth club, invested money, and created a professional side as an extension of the youth club. They could also expand Icahn Stadium. This way, New York could have a respectable professional soccer club, with a real soccer specific stadium and a name which is indicative of its location, not a company or a stupid nick name.
wow, just wow.
the hypocrisy is astounding. as long as the money comes from several individuals (who probably own their own businesses if they have the power to invest the kind of money you're talking about) and not a corporation, then everything is A-OK!!!
Here is the Icahn Stadium D.Andres brought up:
To be truthful, it's really not a bad stadium, and has a pretty nice view.
Still, many companies have their own soccer teams, it's not just Red Bull. Don't believe me?
Red-Bull Salzburg and Red-Bull NY are not new trends of team naming.
Aside from simply the names, PSV is pretty much entirely owned by Phillips. Their uniforms are dominated by the Company name, and they play their home matches at Phillips Arena. There are plenty of other clubs in similar situations.
To be truthful, it's really not a bad stadium, and has a pretty nice view.
Still, many companies have their own soccer teams, it's not just Red Bull. Don't believe me?
- Bayer Leverkusen (German 1st Division)
- Kawasaki Frontale (J-League 1)
Red-Bull Salzburg and Red-Bull NY are not new trends of team naming.
Aside from simply the names, PSV is pretty much entirely owned by Phillips. Their uniforms are dominated by the Company name, and they play their home matches at Phillips Arena. There are plenty of other clubs in similar situations.
I am thinking about getting a shirt of my local team, NY Red Bulls.
Who is their best player? What player should I get on their shirt?
Who is their best player? What player should I get on their shirt?
Topics merged:
I would consider either an Amado Guereva or a Jouri Djokiaeff jersey, they are both solid players.
I would consider either an Amado Guereva or a Jouri Djokiaeff jersey, they are both solid players.
marvell wynne, those two might not be in the MLS for very long.
QUOTE(D. Andres -7- @ Apr 7 2006, 02:11 AM)
I agree with the Austrian Salzburg supporters, one thing is to have a corporate owner/sponsor, another thing is to change the name of the club!
This is ridiculous...
LOOK AT THAT LOGO - Pass the vomit bag please
As a New Yorker I want to clearly state that I DO NOT want the name of New York to be attached or even remotely related to that club. "The Metrostars" (horrible name BTW
) have always played in New Jersey, and as Red Bull, their new stadium will be in New Jersey - therefore call them "Red Bull New Jersey". I play for Manhattan Soccer Club in New York City. It is the largest youth soccer club in New York City and I play at a wonderful small stadium located in New York called Icahn Stadium. I think it would be great if private investors took my youth club, invested money, and created a professional side as an extension of the youth club. They could also expand Icahn Stadium. This way, New York could have a respectable professional soccer club, with a real soccer specific stadium and a name which is indicative of its location, not a company or a stupid nick name.
The people who run the MLS have no clue about the sport. I know it is nearly impossible to create a strong fan base for a league that is in its infancy but seriously;, corporate names, cheesy jerseys and rented American football stadiums are not the way to develop strong supporters.
Theses shirts aren't too bad, i thought the shirt would be blue and silver, like the cans.
But everything the shirt represents is so ugly. Football and business are an item now, but this is just ridiculous. Hope there won't be any other clubs that will fall victim to this kind of thing.
QUOTE(Preki-USA @ Apr 9 2006, 01:38 PM)
marvell wynne, those two might not be in the MLS for very long.
I was at the ame on Saturday and Marvell was extremely was playing hard and attacking the whole game. I am probably going to get his jersey.
So Wynne would be a good choice? I do want someone that will be in the MLS (hopefully with RBNY) for awhile...
yes Wynne is the best Jersey to get next is Edson Buddle. Djorkaeff is great but is gona Retire at the end of the seaon .
do u guys like the change? i do i thought the metro stars was boring
HOPEFULLY they'll make a mighigan team like the detroit Monster lol off of the energy drink
HOPEFULLY they'll make a mighigan team like the detroit Monster lol off of the energy drink
There's a topic on this here:
http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=83465
Closed for now, I'll merge later.
http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=83465
Closed for now, I'll merge later.
From ESPN
I think this could be a good decision as long as we don't bring in some foreign coach that has know idea how to coach the MLS. I wish that Frank Yallop hadn't signed for the Galaxy because I think that he could have fit in with us.
QUOTE
Red Bulls fire coach; Williams is interim coach
SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The New York Red Bulls fired coach Mo Johnston on Tuesday and chose assistant coach Richie Williams as interim coach.
Williams' first game will be Wednesday night against the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium, managing director Marc de Grandpre said.
The Red Bulls are in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-3-7 record. The two wins are tied with the Los Angeles Galaxy for worst in the league and the seven ties are a league high.
"We are a results-driven company, and that's what today's decision is based on," de Grandpre said. "Having only two wins through 12 games is unacceptable for our organization and above all else, our fans."
The firing comes after the Red Bulls played one of their worst games of the season in a 2-0 loss Saturday on the road to the Chicago Fire. It snapped a three-game unbeaten streak for the Red Bulls, who have had eight coaches in their 11-year history, most of them coming when the franchise was known as the MetroStars.
The name was changed this season after Red Bull bought the club from Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Johnston took over as interim manager of the-then MetroStars when Bob Bradley was fired late last season. The former midfielder-forward for Scotland and Scottish teams Celtic and Rangers guided the team to two victories and a tie to qualify for the playoffs on the final day of the season.
After beating New England 1-0 in the opening game of the two-game series, the MetroStars were eliminated on aggregate goals when New England took the second game 3-1.
Johnston, who joined Bradley's staff as an assistant in 2003, was given the full-time coaching job in November by then-president and general manager Alexi Lalas, who since has left for a similar job with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Despite scoring first in seven of 12 games, New York only won one of those games. Two of the 12 games finished in scoreless ties. Of the three games in which they've fallen behind, the Red Bulls rallied once to win.
Johnston, who finished with a 4-3-8 mark in 15 regular-season games, also had disciplinary problems with midfielder Amado Guevara, the league's most valuable player in 2004.
He was fined $4,000 and suspended for a game earlier this season for leaving the field after being replaced in the 55th minute of a tie against the Fire.
SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The New York Red Bulls fired coach Mo Johnston on Tuesday and chose assistant coach Richie Williams as interim coach.
Williams' first game will be Wednesday night against the Columbus Crew at Giants Stadium, managing director Marc de Grandpre said.
The Red Bulls are in last place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-3-7 record. The two wins are tied with the Los Angeles Galaxy for worst in the league and the seven ties are a league high.
"We are a results-driven company, and that's what today's decision is based on," de Grandpre said. "Having only two wins through 12 games is unacceptable for our organization and above all else, our fans."
The firing comes after the Red Bulls played one of their worst games of the season in a 2-0 loss Saturday on the road to the Chicago Fire. It snapped a three-game unbeaten streak for the Red Bulls, who have had eight coaches in their 11-year history, most of them coming when the franchise was known as the MetroStars.
The name was changed this season after Red Bull bought the club from Anschutz Entertainment Group.
Johnston took over as interim manager of the-then MetroStars when Bob Bradley was fired late last season. The former midfielder-forward for Scotland and Scottish teams Celtic and Rangers guided the team to two victories and a tie to qualify for the playoffs on the final day of the season.
After beating New England 1-0 in the opening game of the two-game series, the MetroStars were eliminated on aggregate goals when New England took the second game 3-1.
Johnston, who joined Bradley's staff as an assistant in 2003, was given the full-time coaching job in November by then-president and general manager Alexi Lalas, who since has left for a similar job with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Despite scoring first in seven of 12 games, New York only won one of those games. Two of the 12 games finished in scoreless ties. Of the three games in which they've fallen behind, the Red Bulls rallied once to win.
Johnston, who finished with a 4-3-8 mark in 15 regular-season games, also had disciplinary problems with midfielder Amado Guevara, the league's most valuable player in 2004.
He was fined $4,000 and suspended for a game earlier this season for leaving the field after being replaced in the 55th minute of a tie against the Fire.
I think this could be a good decision as long as we don't bring in some foreign coach that has know idea how to coach the MLS. I wish that Frank Yallop hadn't signed for the Galaxy because I think that he could have fit in with us.
i like the name change better than the metro stars
QUOTE(vanguard @ Jun 27 2006, 11:11 PM)
i like the name change better than the metro stars
The name change makes me
and 
. My club has become a commercial which is terrible, but I thought that we would become good. One thing is true, it doesn't matter our name we will continue to underachieve.
hahahaha nice..
i like it better becuase it makes people pay attention to them and its just different...
i like it better becuase it makes people pay attention to them and its just different...
QUOTE
SECAUCUS, N.J. (AP) -- Bruce Arena didn't have to wait long to find a new job.
The former U.S. national team coach was hired by Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Tuesday. Last Friday, the U.S. Soccer Federation opted not to renew Arena's contract with the national team.
Arena will replace interim coach Richie Williams, who was elevated to the top spot when head coach Mo Johnston was fired on June 27. In five games under Williams, New York was 1-3-1.
The Red Bulls are 3-6-8 this season -- the fewest wins in the league -- and are last in the Eastern Conference with 17 points. Only the Western Conference's Real Salt Lake has fewer points.
Arena won more than twice as many games than any other U.S. coach and led the team to the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup, the team's best showing. But the U.S. failed to advance to the second round in Germany this summer after losses to the Czech Republic and Ghana and a draw with eventual champion Italy.
In 130 games with the national team, Arena was 71-30-29. Before that, he won or shared five NCAA titles as coach of Virginia, won two MLS championships with D.C. United and also won the CONCACAF Champions Cup with D.C.
The former U.S. national team coach was hired by Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls on Tuesday. Last Friday, the U.S. Soccer Federation opted not to renew Arena's contract with the national team.
Arena will replace interim coach Richie Williams, who was elevated to the top spot when head coach Mo Johnston was fired on June 27. In five games under Williams, New York was 1-3-1.
The Red Bulls are 3-6-8 this season -- the fewest wins in the league -- and are last in the Eastern Conference with 17 points. Only the Western Conference's Real Salt Lake has fewer points.
Arena won more than twice as many games than any other U.S. coach and led the team to the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup, the team's best showing. But the U.S. failed to advance to the second round in Germany this summer after losses to the Czech Republic and Ghana and a draw with eventual champion Italy.
In 130 games with the national team, Arena was 71-30-29. Before that, he won or shared five NCAA titles as coach of Virginia, won two MLS championships with D.C. United and also won the CONCACAF Champions Cup with D.C.
Maybe he'll turn the Red Bulls around too?
QUOTE(Burns @ Jul 18 2006, 08:47 AM)
Maybe he'll turn the Red Bulls around too?
maybe.
Im not sure. He's a good coach, but I dislike him because he is so arrogant and Im still pissed off after what had happened with the World Cup. Also, he is from DC so thats not a plus. But I guess this will change if were successful
I thought he was a NY boy? Perhaps he musta picked the accent up only.
Anyways I think its a good move by RB and Im sure some good will come out of this. Putting our feelins aside, he is a wicked coach and I know they will not get worse.
Anyways I think its a good move by RB and Im sure some good will come out of this. Putting our feelins aside, he is a wicked coach and I know they will not get worse.
He's from Brooklyn, but he coached DC for a couple of years.
yea nmaybe he ciould turn them around
we bash arena but hes the most winnest head coach for the us
we bash arena but hes the most winnest head coach for the us
C'mon shalrie becuase he coached in DC that does'nt disqualify him from the job. he was just doing his job and thats what all managers are required to do despite of where or who they are coaching.i think he can do somthing for us in NY the team is good and Richie williams has proven that MO Johnston was just fooling himself play 3-5-2 and leaving Marvell wynne and Mike Magee on the bench. I think with Bruce Marvell and Mike Magee will become very good players Magee played like a champ with Bob Bradley so i would expect better with Bruce as the Man in the Drivers seat.
i agree
how have they done with him so far?
how have they done with him so far?
Another article here:
http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.js...s&fext=.jsp
Should be good news for the Red Bulls, say what you want about Arena but he has been nothing but successful in America.
http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.js...s&fext=.jsp
Should be good news for the Red Bulls, say what you want about Arena but he has been nothing but successful in America.
yea he has but we just need to step it up i think.
he did wonderful though
he did wonderful though
QUOTE(Eddie Johnson @ Jul 20 2006, 01:29 PM)
i agree
how have they done with him so far?
if u are asking about Richie williams he has done great two st8 shutout wins home and away somthin that has never happend in the history of this team, sounds bad but thats how its been since 96. but if its bruce u are asking in about he has'nt fully taken over as yet he will be on the sidlines for the game against Barcelona August 12
o ok thanks.
i cant wait to see the barca game
i cant wait to see the barca game
he was on the sidelines for the game against the crew as well i do believe...
QUOTE(el_diablo5711 @ Jul 24 2006, 09:31 AM)
he was on the sidelines for the game against the crew as well i do believe...
thats good since we have streak going
yea that is good i think we will be there coach for a while
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