Brazilian Group Purchases Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Published on September 19, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL) News Release
NEW YORK (September 19, 2014) - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers, one of the most historic clubs in North American Soccer League (NASL) history, have been purchased by a group of three Brazilian investors - Paulo Cesso, Ricardo Geromel, and Rafael Bertani - the club announced Friday at a press conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
With the sale of the Strikers, Traffic Sports now owns just one NASL team, the Carolina RailHawks, as opposed to three as recent as January. As of Friday, the NASL has independent ownership groups in each of its markets.
"We're very excited to welcome the new ownership group into our league. Paulo, Ricardo, Rafael, and their families are committed to building a winning franchise on the field and being a big part of Fort Lauderdale off the field," said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. "The group is extremely excited to get started and their passion for the sport is exactly what is needed to make the Strikers a long-term success."
One of the most iconic teams to have played in the NASL's Golden Era, the Strikers have a decorated background as an organization. In a match against the New York Cosmos in 1977, the Strikers played in front of a crowd of 77,691 - an attendance number that still stands as the all-time record for a league game between two professional U.S. soccer teams. The Strikers' rich history was one of the main things that attracted the new ownership group to the organization.
"Who is the goalkeeper that made the best save of all World Cups? Gordon Banks. Who do Germans say is their own Pelé? Gerd Muller. Who did Pelé himself say was the best player in the world? George Best," Cesso said. "These legends have all played for the Strikers. Other stars that played for our team were Elias Figueroa, Nene Cubillas, Marinho Chagas, and Ray Hudson. These players made us dream, and we are proud and ready to announce that we will invest to turn the Strikers back into a household name."
Cesso is an entrepreneur and investor in the field of education; he manages a portfolio of schools and universities in Brazil and invests in several companies.
Rafael Bertani and Ricardo Geromel are the other two owners. Bertani was responsible for implementing Multi Holding Group, Brazil's largest education group, in China, and the company was eventually sold to Pearson for $719.6 million. He invests in several startups in Brazil and heads Startup Grind Sao Paulo.
Geromel is fluent in five languages and has worked on five continents in the fields of agricultural commodities trading, integrated logistics, soccer, and plastics. He has also been writing for Forbes since 2011. Geromel graduated in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, with a soccer scholarship. He also holds a Masters in Management from ESCP Europe, Paris.
The group led by Cesso, Bertani, and Geromel was one of 10 candidates that expressed serious interest in purchasing the Strikers. In the end, after nine years of unwavering support for professional soccer in South Florida, Traffic Sports believed they found the right group in Cesso, Bertani, and Geromel.
"We're convinced that the new ownership group led by Paulo Cesso, Ricardo Geromel, and Rafael Bertani are the destined torchbearers to elevate the team to ever-increasing heights. They are well-funded, successful entrepreneurs who are passionate about soccer and education and are enchanted by South Florida and the rich history of the Strikers," said Aaron Davidson, President of Traffic Sports and Chairman of the NASL Board of Governors. "We look forward to continuing to work with them as strategic partners who will always love and support the Strikers and the NASL."
The new owners will be present at Saturday's home game against Indy Eleven at Lockhart Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game can be seen live online at NASLLive.com.
North American Soccer League Stories from September 19, 2014
- Traffic Sports USA Will Focus Energy and Resources on RailHawks - North Carolina FC
- Brazilian Group Purchases Fort Lauderdale Strikers - NASL
- Three Brazilian Investors Acquire Fort Lauderdale Strikers - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- United Set to Face Scorpions in 'Fight for First' - Minnesota United FC
- Austin da Luz Returns to the RailHawks - North Carolina FC
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