The Houston Dynamo and AEG announced that a group led by Gabriel Brener, CEO of Brener International Group, LLC, has acquired AEG’s interests in MLS’s Houston Dynamo, the NWSL’s Houston Dash and the BBVA Compass Stadium located in downtown Houston.
AEG, holders of the franchise’s operating rights, relocated the team to Houston in 2006.
In 2008, AEG sold partial ownership interests in the Dynamo and BBVA Compass Stadium to Brener and boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions.
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Having served as a minority owner of the Dynamo since 2008, Brener, a native of Mexico and successful entrepreneur, will lead the ownership group comprised of three other investors: De La Hoya, also currently a minority partner of the club, as well as Jake Silverstein and Ben Guill.
“I am honored to become the new managing partner of the Houston Dynamo, ” said Brener. “I’d like to thank Mr. Phil Anschutz and the AEG organization for being great partners over the years. Mr. Anschutz has been critical to the development of MLS and the game in the United States, and for that I thank him.
“Most importantly, I want to recognize the Dynamo fans, sponsors, players and staff and thank them for their support and efforts. I want to let them know that we are committed to fielding a winning team, providing an incredible fan experience, and giving back to the community.”
Silverstein is a private investor based in Portland, Oregon. The Silverstein family were early cable industry pioneers, and Mr. Silverstein now leads a diversified investment platform, Stormlight Expeditions. An active philanthropist, he serves as a member of the X-Prize Foundation Vision Circle and on the boards of the William James Foundation and Mama Hope.
Silverstein said. “I love soccer and I am a big believer in the power of MLS to engage sports fans in the U.S. and beyond. I am so excited to connect with our supporters and take the Dynamo fan experience to the next level.”
Silverstein will serve on the MLS Board of Governors alongside Brener.
Guill is a Houston-based businessman and a founder and managing partner of White Deer Energy. He is also a minority shareholder of the Houston Astros. He has served as president of First Reserve Corporation and co-head of investment banking at Simmons & Company International.
Guill said “These teams offer an exciting sporting experience to thousands of enthusiastic soccer fans. Soccer is played by more people than any other sport, and the rapid growth of MLS reflects that. I am also excited as a Houstonian to be a part of this hometown team.”
“We are thrilled to have Gabriel Brener become the majority owner of the Houston Dynamo, ” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “Gabriel has been an important member of our Board of Governors for more than seven years, and is highly respected throughout the soccer community.
Houston is one of Major League Soccer’s cornerstone markets, and we know that Gabriel, Oscar De La Hoya and their new partners—Jake Silverstein and Ben Guill—will continue to build upon the Dynamo’s rich heritage.
The team announcement marks the 10th anniversary of the team’s arrival in Houston.
