The LA Galaxy's in-stadium rivals C.D. Chivas USA are getting a new name and a new owner.
On Thursday, MLS announced that the league had purchased Chivas USA from Jorge Vergara and Angelica Fuentes effective immediately. According to the league release, the team will play the 2014 season as Chivas USA, but will operate under a new name and new logo in 2015 in connection with new ownership. The release goes on to state that MLS is intent on keeping the team in Los Angeles in a new stadium and has already spoken to several ownership groups with the hopes of announcing an owner by the end of the year.
“We thank Jorge Vergara and Angelica Fuentes for their significant commitment to Major League Soccer,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “Jorge was an early believer in the league and he and Angelica have been great partners in MLS. “We collectively agreed that it is best to sell the club to new owners who are committed to securing a new stadium and providing MLS with a strong rival for the LA Galaxy.”
Said Vergara, the owner of Mexican giant C.D. Guadalajara, in the statement “When Angelica and I gained full operational control of the team for the first time 15 months ago, we were hopeful we would be able to turn it around. However, there is only one Chivas de Guadalajara, and we have realized that it will require more time, further resources, and a level of commitment that would divert too much of our focus from our other business interests. We explored opportunities to sell to other groups, but we believe selling the franchise to MLS on an expedited basis is in the best interests of all parties, including the team’s players and its dedicated fans. MLS has assured us they are committed to keeping the club in Los Angeles and finding the right owners to make the team successful in the future. We greatly appreciate the leadership and collaboration of Don Garber and his colleagues at MLS, which resulted in an efficient transaction that benefits all the parties involved.”
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