FEB
22nd
Save The Victory presses forward with drive to build a professional fan owned soccer team in San Francisco
In a recent question and answer session online, USL Vice President Tim Holt explained that although some investors have expressed interest in the Victory, there is no group ready to take the plunge to take over the franchise.
"There have been two groups that have engaged us in dialogue about the possibility of restarting in San Francisco in 2009, however there is nothing imminent. We have an obligation to be very thorough in assessing the viability of any USL-1 initiative in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving forward again, particularly as the return of the San Jose Earthquakes fills the void left by their departure for many fans.
Regardless of whether or not we return to San Francisco in 2009 or beyond, we are bullish about USL-1 expansion on the West Coast. There are several very professionally managed and well-established PDL franchises in key markets that have the wherewithal to make the jump to the professional division, as well as other interested groups in the aforementioned target markets which we believe are very strong candidates to join our league in 2009 or 2010."
Save The Victory can confirm that some of the possible investors now have cold feet about taking over the team. With little hope of a savior on the horizon, Save The Victory continues to press ahead with plans to become the first fan-owner professional soccer team in the United States
NOV
28th
New Ownership Plans to Operate the Team Starting the 2009 Season
The USL has announced that a new investor group is interested in running the California Victory. The team will be on hiatus for the 2008 season with an eye on returning for the 2009 season.
"Although disappointed the Victory will not be a part of our 2008 competition, we continue to make progress towards bringing USL-1 soccer back to San Francisco with a new ownership group conceivably to be introduced prior to the commencement of the 2008 season," USL Vice President Tim Holt said. "However as a reflection of our confidence in and respect for the long-term health of the league, the importance of providing adequate preparation time to ensure the success of any new ownership group was prioritized above all else. Considering we are also in advanced stage dialogue with prospective franchise ownership groups in several major markets within the States of California, Texas, and Florida, the 2009 season is shaping up to be a key expansion year for USL-1."
Full text of the press release here
The Save The Victory campaign is working with the ownership group to help bring the team back in 2009 and is still exploring opportunities for a possible ownership stake for supporters with the team.
OCT
3rd
Still not a done deal
I've just been told that the Californian investment group who filed with the league has been approved for the name and franchise rights of the California Victory.
However, it is still not a done deal because there is an issue if whether or not any of Deportivo Alaves' debt has spilled over to the Vics.
So what does this all mean? Technically, nothing until paper meets pen and all is well. But that does not mean I am not cautiously optimistic. So until then, keep the faith and cross your fingers... prayer or two would be nice and the savethevictory.org campaign will go on with a possibilty of a minority partnership position among the new owners.
SEP
26th
Media coverage of the campaign
The Salinas Californian published a recent article written by freelance columnist Embele Awipi concerning the SavetheVictory.org campaign. Hopefully this will bring us some more investors interested in the team. Click on the link
Also a recent web article has just been posted on Soccer America.
SEP
24th
Finally, some good news.
A small Californian investment group had just recently filed with the League with intent to buy the Vics. Apparently, they were impressed by the 1906's campaign to save the vics.
Of course, nothing has been approved of yet. The League must first do a bit of investigating to avoid another Virginia Beach fiasco. But cross your fingers, true believers. In the meantime, its business as usual at SavetheVictory.org.
SEP
12th
Presidente del Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D. - (President of Deportivo Alavés)
Ante la noticia aparecida en el día de hoy en un medio de comunicación local, en la que se informaba de que el ex presidente del Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D. aseguraba que actúa como agente de este club con el California Victory, queremos poner en conocimiento de nuestros accionistas, socios y aficionados, lo siguiente:
1.- Desde el primer día que entró el nuevo consejo de administración que presido, Dmitry Piterman no tiene vinculación alguna con el Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D.
2.- La situación jurídica del California Victory está siendo valorada desde el primer momento tanto por el nuevo consejo de administración, como por la Administración Concursal.
3.- Una vez que por el consejo de administración y por la Administración Concursal se saquen consecuencias jurídicas, se ejercitarán, en su caso, las acciones que correspondan en defensa de los intereses del Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D.
D. Fernando Ortiz de Zárate
Presidente del Deportivo Alavés, S.A.D.
He says that:
1. Piterman has no relationship with Deportivo Alavés anymore.
2. The California Victory situation is now being evaluated by the new owners of Alavés.
3. The new owners will soon take actions on the future of the San Francisco team with the best interests of Deportio Alavés in hand.
SEP
12th
President of the 1906 Supporters
Hey True Believers,
Just checking in on you good folks and letting you know whats going on.
News from Spain
Yesterday I gave a phone interview with the Vitoria public radio station in Spain concerning the California Victory and our plight to own the team.
I also have been in recent contact with their supporters group. Big thanks to the our big brothers is Spain for spreading the word across Europe. They have been emailing me with kind notes, wishing us luck.
I was told by their supporters that Dmitri owned the Vics, oddly enough, Dmitri told us that Alaves owned the Vics....interesting, isn't it? Even more interesting is the claim that the Vics cost Alaves over $2 million dollars. I must still be woozy from last Saturday's smoke bombs and flares.
New on the Rumor Mill
Well, actually its not a rumor, but a fact. Ipswich Town of the Coca Cola Championship League has been making recent calls to the front office with investment questions. Are they calling out of morbid curiosity, or are they generally looking for a break in the American market? Mmmmm... Hopefully, the Tractor Boys will see us as a great place to start.
SEP
10th
VP of United Soccer Leagues addresses savethevictory.org
Thanks for the note and we are certainly aware of & appreciate the initiative.
USL Management is simultaneously working to identify an ownership group that is capable of owning/operating the franchise in San Francisco, however time is short with respect to our need to make decisions involving the 2008 season. We will keep working at it until we find a solution or no longer have the luxury of time before fixing the 2008 alignment.
We sincerely appreciate the continued and active efforts of the supporters, especially the ones who are involved in the initiative to save the club.
Regards,
Tim
SEP
8th
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