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US: Ajax affiliate interested in MLS team [Thu Aug 25th, 2005]
San Jose, California (AP) -- Ajax America, the North American affiliate of the storied Dutch football club, have announced their interest in buying a share of a Major League Soccer franchise.
The Orlando, Florida-based company said in a news release that it is pursuing the San Jose Earthquakes and the Kansas City Wizards.
"Investing in a professional football team is the next logical step in our company's growth plan," Ajax America president and CEO Mark Dillon said in a statement.
Rich Bradley, Ajax America executive vice president and COO, said he would eventually like to bring an expansion team to Orlando, but is concentrating now on getting involved with an existing team.
"We still believe that the potential exists to bring a professional team to Orlando, however, at this time we have an opportunity to immediately attain our goal of an association with an MLS team in another market," he said.
The Earthquakes are owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group, which has been looking to sell the team. The Wizards are owned by the Hunt Sports Group.
Ajax Amsterdam have won the Dutch championship 29 times and have been European champions four times, most recently in 1995.
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