By FRANCO PANIZO
The Houston Dynamo may have a brand new owner to go along with their brand new stadium.
According to a FOX report, Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander is currently in negotiations to purchase the Dynamo from the three parties that currently own the club. Alexander would also get control of BBVA Compass Stadium if the deal was to come to fruition.
MLS commisioner Don Garber has said in the past that he would like to see a local ownership group take charge of the Dynamo, who are currently owned by Anschutz Entermaint Group, retired boxer Oscar de la Hoya and Los Angeles businessman Gabriel Brener. The latter two own 25 percent of the club apiece while Anschutz Entertainment Group, which also owns the Los Angeles Galaxy, controls the other 50 percent.
Here are more stories to help close out your Thursday:
WYNALDA DEPARTS SILVERBACKS POST
Just over a month after surprisingly being appointed interim head coach of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Eric Wynalda is leaving the NASL club.
Wynalda is departing from Atlanta after being hired on July 2 because of his duties with FOX Soccer, where things are expected to pick up now that the European season is about to get underway. The Silverbacks stated in their press releases that they wanted to keep Wynalda for longer, but that it proved too difficult to do so given his other responsibilities.
Wynalda will remain as a team advisor and will make periodic visits to Atlanta. The Silverbacks went 3-3-1 since Wynalda had been appointed head coach, but they still remain in last place in the NASL standings. Brian Haynes is the club's new head coach.
RED BULLS SIGN SAM
The New York Red Bulls have added more depth to a team that many consider the deepest in MLS. The Red Bulls have signed midfielder Lloyd Sam, who had been trialing with the club during the last week-and-a-half. The 27-year-old Sam, who most recently played for Notts County on loan from Leed United, will add width to the Red Bulls. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
BARTON TO GO ON SEASON-LONG LOAN WITH MARSEILLE
Joey Barton and his controversial ways are well documented, and that may be the reason Queens Park Rangers are loaning him out for the entirety of the upcoming campaign. QPR are reportedly sending the midfielder on a season-long loan to Olympique Marseille of Ligue 1, and in return the English club will get Stephane Mbia. The 29-year-old Barton will miss the first 12 games of the season for the French heavyweights, as he has to serve a suspension for his violent conduct and red card in the final match of the last campaign against Manchester City.
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What do you make of the Dynamo possibly getting a new owner? Think Wynalda should have stayed on longer with Atlanta? Expecting Sam to fit in well in MLS?
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