This press release came directly from Matt Schroeder of the Milwaukee Wave on Friday afternoon, on the future of the Milwaukee Wave
LOCAL INVESTOR SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT TO BUY WAVE
Staff returns to work Monday to continue ‘Save the Wave’ ticket drive
MILWAUKEE (July 24, 2009) – Milwaukee Wave owner/investor Charles Krause has reached conditional terms for the sale of the longest-running soccer franchise in North America to a local investor.
Krause announced July 6 he would relinquish ownership of the Wave after seven seasons. Front office employees were released July 15, but will come back to work Monday in an effort to meet conditions of the sale.
“Based on that expectation, I am calling the staff back to work starting Monday to work on increasing new season ticket sales to 1,000 as the immediate goal, against the ultimate goal of 2,000,” Krause said. “I have every expectation that the community, both individuals and corporations, will step forward and support the Milwaukee Wave during this critical period.”
A letter of intent was signed Friday and Krause said he expects to close the sale in about one week, provided the conditions are met.
A “Save the Wave” drive, launched July 6, has collected nearly 600 total season ticket pledges. Tickets are $200 each for the full regular season plus three School Day Games.
The Wave celebrated their Silver Anniversary last season, playing their 1,000th game on Feb. 1 against Chicago. For the 2009-10 season they are candidates to play in the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL), featuring longtime rivals Baltimore and Philadelphia.
“We are very excited about the possibility of the Milwaukee Wave joining the NISL,” said Dave Grimaldi, commissioner of the NISL. “Considered one of the premier soccer franchises in North America, and the longest continuously operating professional franchise in indoor soccer history, the Wave would be a great addition to the NISL. The Wave organization will have to pass the due diligence process set forth by the Management Committee, as well as hit certain new season ticket benchmarks set forth in the letter of intent; however, I am quite confident that both objectives will be successful”.
To participate in the “Save the Wave” drive, fans can e-mail a season ticket pledge to save@milwaukeewave.com, or call the office beginning Monday at 414-224-9283. No deposit is required. Fans will be contacted in the order of their pledges to secure a full commitment.
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Friday, July 24, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Judas Favre??
Ok this will be the only time I really chime in on that guy from Kiln that is supposed to sign with the dreaded Purple and Gold on Minnie Sota.
One of my Twitter friends posted this link and I had to share
One of my Twitter friends posted this link and I had to share
Milwaukee Wave future in jeopardy, Tozer startes Save the Wave campaign
Last week word started going around that the Milwaukee Wave and their Xtreme Soccer League were folding, then the team was taking a hiatus for the 2009-2010 season. On Monday the questions were answered in a press conference at the US Cellular Arena, but more arose.
Wave owner and principal investor Charles Krause, VP of Soccer Operations and Head Coach Keith Tozer and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett addresses the media and shed some light on the precarious situation.
Krause acknowledged that he is stepping away as the principal investor of the Wave after 7 years of involvement, a decision that has been in the works for well over a year. During Krause'e tenture as owner, the Wave's involvement in the community has dramatically increased through their Making Waves and Wave of Kindness programs.
Mayor Barrett offered his support for the Wave touting not only their on the field accomplishments, but what they have meant to the community.
Keith Tozer offered the most candid comments of the press conference, sharing the dire nature of the situation, but offering hope for not only the team but their fans.
Tozer, the winningest coach in soccer history, discussed the history of the Wave, going from a team that couldn't win a playoff game, to winning three consecutive titles and being called a dynasty, to once again losing in the finals three straight years, finally winning their fourth championship in 2005.
Tozer reassured that Wave soccer camps will continue as scheduled for the remainder of the summer, but that is a new owner is not in place quickly that front office staff would be laid off as of July 15th and the coaching staff and players on August 31st.
The call went out to the business community and Wave fans to help with their "Save the Wave" campaign, asking for pledges for season tickets to show a potential new owner that the fan base in in please. The pledge consists of $200 which would cover a 13 game home season, plus 3 school day games. The idea for the campaign came about in an emergency meeting called by Tozer, when he explained to the team what was happening. The goal in a two week period of to secure 2,000 season ticket pledges, along with a new ownership group.
Tozer shared that each of his players committed to staying with the team, through the remainder of summer camps and into the immediate future. Many of the players have started families in the Milwaukee area, including long time Wave veterans Troy Dusosky, Marcelo Fontana, and Giuliano Oliviero.
What a new owner will get in the Wave is a successful franchise,a team with huge community involvement and a winning team of quality coaching and players, but also a team that will have no debt. Tozer said a new owner would start with "zero bank debt and a clean slate". Krause stated that we would "entertain and reasonable offer for the team", offers that had serious financial backing.
Businesses and fans interested in making pledges for "Save the Wave" can get more information on the teams website www.milwaukeewave.com or by calling the Wave office before July 15th at 414-224-9283
To read more about this story, please see Charles Gardner and Don Walker's article on JSOnline here
*******************************************************************************
On a personal note, I am saddened to see what is happening to the Milwaukee Wave, but in this recession not totally surprised. We see the Milwaukee Mile threatened with being shut down, the US Bank Championship losing its primary sponsor after this year and rumors of the Bucks, Iron and Bonecrusher futures in question.
My family has enjoyed going to Wave games for the past 6 years, with my son becoming not only a huge fan, but a friend of a number of players during that time.
If the Wave is unable to find a new ownership group, this community would lose not only a hugely successful team on the field, but one of the most community involved teams in all of sports. Camps, school programs, school day games, hospital visits and more would all vanish from the landscape.
I am encouraging any Wave fans that read this, including business owners and leaders...make the pledge to Save the Wave. No upfront money if needed, you only need to pledge your support.
Also their must be someone or a group of someones that can step forward to purchase the Wave. We're not talking New York Yankees or Chicago Cubs type money. A minimal investment (in the grand scheme of things) could buy someone a great franchise and a great community partner.
Wave owner and principal investor Charles Krause, VP of Soccer Operations and Head Coach Keith Tozer and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett addresses the media and shed some light on the precarious situation.
Krause acknowledged that he is stepping away as the principal investor of the Wave after 7 years of involvement, a decision that has been in the works for well over a year. During Krause'e tenture as owner, the Wave's involvement in the community has dramatically increased through their Making Waves and Wave of Kindness programs.
Mayor Barrett offered his support for the Wave touting not only their on the field accomplishments, but what they have meant to the community.
Keith Tozer offered the most candid comments of the press conference, sharing the dire nature of the situation, but offering hope for not only the team but their fans.
Tozer, the winningest coach in soccer history, discussed the history of the Wave, going from a team that couldn't win a playoff game, to winning three consecutive titles and being called a dynasty, to once again losing in the finals three straight years, finally winning their fourth championship in 2005.
Tozer reassured that Wave soccer camps will continue as scheduled for the remainder of the summer, but that is a new owner is not in place quickly that front office staff would be laid off as of July 15th and the coaching staff and players on August 31st.
The call went out to the business community and Wave fans to help with their "Save the Wave" campaign, asking for pledges for season tickets to show a potential new owner that the fan base in in please. The pledge consists of $200 which would cover a 13 game home season, plus 3 school day games. The idea for the campaign came about in an emergency meeting called by Tozer, when he explained to the team what was happening. The goal in a two week period of to secure 2,000 season ticket pledges, along with a new ownership group.
Tozer shared that each of his players committed to staying with the team, through the remainder of summer camps and into the immediate future. Many of the players have started families in the Milwaukee area, including long time Wave veterans Troy Dusosky, Marcelo Fontana, and Giuliano Oliviero.
What a new owner will get in the Wave is a successful franchise,a team with huge community involvement and a winning team of quality coaching and players, but also a team that will have no debt. Tozer said a new owner would start with "zero bank debt and a clean slate". Krause stated that we would "entertain and reasonable offer for the team", offers that had serious financial backing.
Businesses and fans interested in making pledges for "Save the Wave" can get more information on the teams website www.milwaukeewave.com or by calling the Wave office before July 15th at 414-224-9283
To read more about this story, please see Charles Gardner and Don Walker's article on JSOnline here
*******************************************************************************
On a personal note, I am saddened to see what is happening to the Milwaukee Wave, but in this recession not totally surprised. We see the Milwaukee Mile threatened with being shut down, the US Bank Championship losing its primary sponsor after this year and rumors of the Bucks, Iron and Bonecrusher futures in question.
My family has enjoyed going to Wave games for the past 6 years, with my son becoming not only a huge fan, but a friend of a number of players during that time.
If the Wave is unable to find a new ownership group, this community would lose not only a hugely successful team on the field, but one of the most community involved teams in all of sports. Camps, school programs, school day games, hospital visits and more would all vanish from the landscape.
I am encouraging any Wave fans that read this, including business owners and leaders...make the pledge to Save the Wave. No upfront money if needed, you only need to pledge your support.
Also their must be someone or a group of someones that can step forward to purchase the Wave. We're not talking New York Yankees or Chicago Cubs type money. A minimal investment (in the grand scheme of things) could buy someone a great franchise and a great community partner.
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