Garber dotes on Glazers

Tim Leiweke, the president of Dynamo co-owner AEG, told the Chronicle that the Dynamo's negotiations for a new stadium are pretty much done and that he expects to break ground at the end of the year to open the stadium on the East End in June 2012.
"We are pretty much done, so now we're papering everything and signing everything," Leiweke said. "We expect to break ground at the end of the year. We've made great progress. We're very pleased and grateful back to the Sports Authority, the city and the county. Harris County and the city of Houston have been great.
"The mayor, even though there was a transition she came in and did great. Obviously most of the risk is on us. But we knew that going in."
Kudos to Canetti
AEG president Tim Leiweke credits Dynamo COO Chris Canetti with helping sell out the 2010 AT&T All-Star Game, which some folks in the soccer community doubted when the Dynamo bid to host the game and put it at Reliant.
"It's amazing," Leiweke said. "I remember when we were sitting down with our partners contemplating the risk we had to take because of the guarantee that you had to pay Man U. There was some back and forth, but we still think Houston is one of the two or three best soccer markets in the United States.
"Everybody kind of laughed at us, but we're like 'we're going to sell it out.' On the one hand I guess it doesn't surprise us because of the history we have down here already. On the other hand it's pretty amazing to think about on all the tours I don't think there's been a crowd like this. It's certainly the largest crowd we've ever had for Major League Soccer in any event down there. I think it bodes well for what we've always known, which is if given the right environment this might be the best soccer market in the United States."
Garber dotes on Glazers
MLS commissioner Don Garber gave the Glazer family a hearty endorsement when an English reporter asked him his thoughts concerning some Manchester United fan groups' opposition to the Glazer family's ownership of the Red Devils.
Malcolm Glazer and his sons Avie, Joel and Bryan own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL and the Red Devils, and some United fans lament having American ownership.
"I knew the Glazer family when I worked at the NFL," Glazer said. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the family. They are owning and managing the world's most valuable franchise... They're doing something wrong.
"I know it's tough in your market, in your country as it relates to the relationship that owners have with fans and how the media manages that. But if I were a Manchester United fan I'd be feeling pretty good about my team. They're winning trophies. They're powerful and popular around the world, and I'm not quite sure what all the hubbub is about. But I don't live there.
"I think they're great guys and they love their teams. One thing I'll say, because most people don't know this, is they love football. I know they love the NFL, but they love Manchester United. They deeply care about that team."

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