Fire Sale Update

For those of you wondering what was going on with the sale of the Chicago Fire, it has been completed. The Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave identified the new ownership group as being Andell Holdings. The Tribune's report, and others suggested that the sale is still in the works but sources have confirmed that the deal is done and will be announced next week.

So where is the connection to the Bronfman family I identified as being the group ready to buy the Fire? The head of Andell Holdings, Andrew Hauptman is married to Ellen Bronfman Hauptman, granddaughter of Samuel Bronfman, founder of Seagrams.

So what does this mean for the Fire?

Aside from breaking away from the AEG stable it isn't going to mean that much immediately. Of greater interest to Fire fans is the interesting development that Andell Holdings will keep current Fire president John Guppy and new head coach Juan Carlos Osorio in place. This development makes Guppy's decision to hire Osorio in the midst of a team sale more understandable. It is safe to say that Guppy wouldn't have fired Dave Sarachan and hired Osorio if he wasn't confident that he would be around for a while.

As for what the sale means for the long term, the Fire will benefit from being owned by an owner that doesn't have other MLS teams, as well as an owner with the financial stability to compete with the league's other owners. Whether the new owners will have the soccer knowledge to go with the business savv remains to be seen.

What are your thoughts on the sale? Share your opinions below.

Comments

[cesba]

I was hoping for a return of Peter Wilt, but I guess we're stuck with Guppy. I have heard the same thing...Guppy isn't going anywhere.
A new owner is a good thing, so Fire fans should give these guys a shot before balsting them :)

[notabbott]

Ives, do you have any more context on Guppy staying? Is it just "we won't clean house immediately when we take over?" Can we at least hope for change in the offseason?

[sal]

The fact they DIDN'T fire Guppy shows how much knowledge they have.

[EssEff]

Seeing the TFC and u20 crowds, I would think the Bronfman's would be working on getting a franchise in Montreal. Can't play in the Big O though. That place is god awful.

[Ben]

Would have liked to have seen Guppy take a hike, but I'm very encouraged at the prospect of these new owners.

[chicago millonario]

How long until Fire fans complain about this? I'm from Chicago, and have nothing against the team, but I can't STAND Fire fans, who are the biggest bunch of poseurs and whiners. All they ever do is scour the internet looking at other countries supporters groups so they can RIP THEM OFF, then pass it off as their own.
That being said, I think it’s a good deal for the team, who need some blood. I never had a problem with John Guppy, and his choice in hiring is a masterful choice, though of course it remains to be seen how he’ll ultimately turn out. The new owners hopefully will do a better job at marketing.

[Braden]

Wow... lot of Chicago hate. I was skeptical at first, but I'm beginning to think it might be very good for the club. Hopefully they're in it for the long haul, rather than hoping for a quick buck from the predicted "Beckham effect".

[RichBullNY]

Too soon to make changes for crying out loud, let them put up the new names on the doors and set up their new offices, you know? Hey, I like the independent and big money factor. This league needs more owners with balls, (no, not the black n white ones) so we can get more Angels and more Becks in the MLS.

[Whitescandal]

I saw the headline "Fire Sale Update" and thought you had news on another LA Galaxy trade.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Seeing the TFC and u20 crowds, I would think the Bronfman's would be working on getting a franchise in Montreal. Can't play in the Big O though. That place is god awful.

Posted by: EssEff

Was thinking the samething but Canada cant have another MLS team for 3 years and i doubt the mls would let the bronfmans pull chicago from that city and that stadium. What else could be up their sleeve?
Maybe they sell in 3 years and start another?

[Jamie]

I'm on board with those disappointed Guppy has been kept on, and I hope it's only temporary. I've seen nothing to indicate that he can do right by the team, except perhaps the move for Osorio--but of course the jury is still out on that. He's failed on a lot of other issues and he's turned off a lot of the fanbase. Blanco will put bums on seats, but it'll be a miracle if he alone can make this team competitive--on and off the field.

[beto]

Hopefully it's just until the end of the season, then they can review the entire organization as a whole.

A lot of the new blood brought in by Guppy has just been horrible.

[Fuego Fanatico]

A lot of the anti-Guppy Chicago fans are anti-Guppy because he's not Peter Wilt.

Personally, I'd prefer Peter Wilt's return - he was really loved by the hardcore fans - but I'm willing to give Guppy a chance and I'm very excited about the hiring of Osorio.

[Aljarov]

Guppy is horrible.

What happened to the group Klopas was fronting? They were local, rich and hopefully would have ousted Guppy and reinstated Peter Wilt. (Okay, I made that last bit up!)

[ct]

This can only be good for MLS. Now hopefully we get some good news on expansion soon.

[Fuegofan]

In principle I'm happy that we're separating from AEG. I'm disappointed that it's not going to be local ownership. I'm willing to give the new owners the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise.

[Art Chlebicki]

Guppy has had 2+ years with the team and he's done nothing with the team. With this team finishing in dead last in the league this year, should be enough to get the axe before 2008 season.