WASHNGTON, DC (Sept 29th, 2008) USSoccerPlayers -- The Columbus Crew might be getting another minority investor and Major League Soccer ends up on the wrong end of a marketing study. All this and more in today's Last Call.
MLS Vegas
Or at least a step, with the Mark Noorzai/ Paul Caligiuri group buying a minority stake in the Columbus Crew, according to The Sports Business Journal's Tripp Mickle. “It’s pretty close to being in the final stages,” said Caligiuri.
How minority ownership actually works within Major League Soccer isn't widely known. As the article relays, the only high profile minority ownership is in Houston with Oscar De La Hoya, but he and his partner actually own 50% of the club. In MLS terms, that translates to 50% of the 49% not owned by MLS. The League remains the majority owner in every club under single-entity.
League officials, feel free to correct us on that statement, because they're the only ones who really know.
Lottery Pick
Major League Soccer was one of 25 companies selected at random by the CMO Council, a marketing think tank, for their The Variance In Customer Experience report. So far so good.
The CMO Council -- whose 3,500 members control more than $100 billion in annual marketing spend -- ranked Home Depot top of the list in customer experience followed by Marriott Hotels, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, AllState Insurance and Dell. Those scoring less well were DirectTV, Major League Soccer, JetBlue, Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, Music TV (MTV) and Comcast.
Hey, at least the League is keeping company with major corporations. As for where they ranked, 15th overall, 18th on website, 21st on advertising, and first in events, among other metrics.
Call It Rio Tinto
Or be one of those weenies who can't get over the crash commercialism in professional sports and don't. Totally your call. Anyway, RSL's nice new home is now Rio Tinto Stadium. Here are the press release quotes to stress the point.
"With Rio Tinto, we have found a very special sponsor with deep local ties and one who shares the unique vision for what this Stadium provides,” said Dave Checketts, Chairman of SCP Worldwide, Real Salt Lake’s ownership group. “Rio Tinto and the Kennecott Utah Companies exemplify that vision with their collective commitment to our Utah community, the perfect match for what Rio Tinto Stadium represents.
and
“This opportunity helps us tell our story and lets people know who we are on a local and global level,” said Bret Clayton, Chief Executive Officer, Rio Tinto Copper. “Soccer transcends cultural and economic boundaries, as it did when Rio Tinto employees introduced soccer to Spain in the late 1800s. This was done to create recreational opportunities for those living in the village and bring people together. Not much has changed since then.”
and
“This is a tremendous opportunity to work with Real Salt Lake and have Rio Tinto’s name on this world-class facility,” said Andrew Harding, President, Kennecott Utah Copper. “At Kennecott Utah Copper, we are part of something bigger. We are part of Rio Tinto, and we are part of this community. Through this opportunity, Rio Tinto and Kennecott can continue to educate the public about the importance mining plays in modern life, reach out to local youth through soccer clinics and other community events, and continue our long-standing commitment to Utah.”
and
"The support Rio Tinto and the Kennecott Utah Companies have provided to the State over the years is legendary,” said Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning. “The scope of Rio Tinto’s commitment to this community and the vision we share greatly enforces the Stadium’s ability to serve as a unifying place through the wide array of events Rio Tinto Stadium will host, and as a critical cornerstone for future development at the heart of the Wasatch Front.”
