UPDATE: Sports Illustrated is reporting that Vincent Tan is one of the investors interested in acquiring MLS club Chivas USA.
Vincent Tan just won’t go away.
The enigmatic and controversial Cardiff City owner, who has avoided dullness at all costs since coming to the Welsh club, has been quoted in an interview today saying he’d be interested in buying an MLS club.
Tan responded to rumors that he is looking to get out of Cardiff and looked towards his future in an interview with Sky Sports aboard a yacht in Malaysia. Apparently Tan’s future might include MLS.
“If I sell Cardiff City, I will buy another club in the UK,” said Tan.
“I love football now. I’ve got a club in Sarajevo, in Bosnia. Oh, I love that. The fans are fantastic. The people who run the club are incredible. Honest people, and they really motivate me.
“I’m looking to buy another club in Europe, and then I may invest in a club in US, in MLS.”
Asked how much money he has to invest in new clubs, Tan responded, “It’s about $700,000,000-$800,000,000. I got lucky (in investment and business).”
Tan’s reputation and residence and business interests abroad would prevent him from becoming a majority MLS owner, but the possibility is exists that Tan could hold a minority share in an MLS club.
Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated has reported that Tan will be a minority shareholder in the group headed by Henry Nguyen and including former NBA front office member Tom Penn that is buying Chivas USA.
That club will take a two-year hiatus, and most likely start playing in 2017 as a new MLS expansion team.
Tan’s money may talk louder in smaller leagues, where it would be more valuable than in the stable and increasingly rich American league.
Nevertheless, Tan will continue to keep himself in the spotlight – and taking his charade to America would be a dream for those who love to be entertained.
In the UK, Tan is a punch-line at best, and reviled at worst.
Tan introduced himself to English football and Cardiff by changing the Bluebirds’ colors to red and white to better market the team in Asia.
In the last fifteen months, Tan destroyed the stable Cardiff management setup – first sacking the influential Iain Moody and replacing him with Tan’s son’s friend, and then sacking manager Malky Mackay, in the face of fierce public outrage.
“Needless to say, the mustachioed Tan is not someone who has any future in MLS. Even though he has the cash, Tan’s reputation would prevent him from making any headway in MLS.”
Since when does a league with franchisees like Robert Kraft, the Steinbrenners, and Red Bull — and formerly Jorge Vergara — care about a prospective owner’s reputation? So long as he can afford the expansion fee, and is able to convince (insert market here) to build a soccer-specific stadium for him, MLS isn’t gonna say a mumbling word about his antics.
And will. You. Look. At. That. Vincent Tan is reportedly part of the group that is investing in Chivas 2.0.
So much for his reputation preceding him, eh?
The Sounders would look great in Red.
Not just red but they would be the Dragons.
I smell CHIVAS!!!!!!
SB
He should get a franchise in Cleveland and call them the Tan’s
I don’t think you can get a tan in Cleveland.
Very true but you can rust. 🙂
Another article by the MLS propaganda man. I bet you’re beyond excited about the recent logo change. 🙂
This would be a nightmare. We do not want Tan.
Mickey Mouse soccer with a Mickey Mouse Owner marriage made in heaven. Enjoy Vinnie!
Beware the MLS thumbs down warriors. Cuz arguing a point is overrated.
Being a Forest fan I have a thick skin bring it on. 🙂
I take any MLS/NASL team over Forest every day of the week…..
LOL nothing else to say. 🙂
If he did buy a team in the MLS, it would never get relegated.
Don’t worry, he’d find a way.
CHIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVVAAAAAAAASSSSSSSS !
C’mon, it’s a match made in heaven!
SB
Can you say LA Dragons (in red of course!)?
The worst owner in sports comes to LA. Oh yeah!