Phil Anschutz has been one of the most important owners in Major League Soccer since day one, but he appears ready to sell the very company he used to maintain his ties to the 17-year-old soccer league.
Anschutz (pictured above accepting the MLS Cup last year) is planning to sell AEG, parent company of the LA Galaxy and current co-owner of the Houston Dynamo. According to multiple reports, the sports and entertainment giant is expected to fetch a multi-billlion dollar price tag.
AEG owns an impressive portfolio of sports teams, including ownership stakes in the LA Lakers, LA Kings and sports venues like Staples Center and Home Depot Center.
Just how the sale of AEG will affect MLS remains to be seen, but it will certainly mean changes for the Galaxy, which is the last team Anschutz maintains full ownership of after previously having owned half the teams in MLS, from the New York/New Jersey MetroStars to the Chicago Fire and the San Jose Earthquakes.
Anschutz, 72, was the most important owner in Major League Soccer's first decade, and his support of MLS helped the league survive. MLS recognized his contributions by naming the MLS Cup after Anschutz.
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