Local soccer entrepreneurs purchase Minnesota Thunder

Published on April 8, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Minnesota Thunder News Release


ST. PAUL, Minn. (Friday, April 8, 2005) – Three of Minnesota's most influential soccer businessmen purchased the Minnesota Thunder today from former Medtronic chairman and CEO Bill George, it was announced by club officials.

The new ownership group is led by soccer retail owner Saeed Kadkhodaian, real estate developer and indoor soccer facility owner Ron Carter, and national soccer marketer and former Thunder general manager Jim Froslid.

George, who served as majority owner for 11 years, is working full-time now as a professor at the Harvard Business School. He will continue to serve on the Thunder's board of directors.

"We intend to build upon the Thunder's rich soccer tradition in the community which was established by Mr. George," said Kadkhodaian, Thunder chief executive officer. "We are grateful for this opportunity, and eager to unveil a number of exciting initiatives. In the end, we feel we are structured to better serve Minnesota's soccer community."

The new ownership group's plan includes enhancing the fan experience, increasing marketing exposure, expanding the youth development program, boosting ethnic participation, improving appeal throughout the state, adding indoor soccer exhibitions in the winter and creating a partnership with a European club.

"Our goal is to take the Minnesota Thunder to the next level," said Carter, Thunder chief operating officer. "We want to be thought of as not just a professional soccer team that plays only in the summer, but as a complete professional sporting organization, which consists of year-round soccer for the Minnesota community."

"The Thunder will continue to base its team around Minnesota's best soccer players," said team president Froslid. "This includes providing more opportunities to local players, and specifically more ethnic players. Not only is soccer the number one youth participant sport in the state, but it is also number one amongst our area's growing ethnic communities."

Following is a look at the immediate impact that fans and youth players can expect:

Enhancing Fan Experience – The Thunder is adding a performance team, all "flex" tickets, bigger Bremer Bank Fun Zone for kids, more ethnic food and more field seating.

Increase Marketing Exposure – Working through its corporate team, fans can expect to see more television commercials, radio spots and newspaper ads promoting games. Soccer Blast and Soccer USA will also become a year-round marketing tool.

Expanding Youth Development – The club expects to announce soon a new director of youth development, as well as the addition of two reserve teams which will triple its ability to meet the demands of high quality training for youth.

Boosting Ethnic Participation – The Thunder will unveil four "Ethnic Heritage Nights," focusing on the Hispanic, Hmong, Somali and Liberian communities. On each of these nights, the food, music and pre-game entertainment will be specific to each culture.

Increasing Appeal Throughout State – The team will be performing more exhibition games in the outer metro area, as well as providing more camps and clinics to those Minnesota youth outside the Twin Cities.

Adding Indoor Exhibitions in the Winter – The Soccer Blast indoor facility will become an intimate gathering for a number of indoor exhibition games throughout the winter season, providing fans with a year-round soccer fix.

Partnership with a European Club – The Thunder is discussing a partnership with a couple European and Latin clubs, where players could be exchanged during the off-season and coaches could be shared for youth development.

Kadkhodaian, 50, is an former 3M engineer of 25 years; he left 3M in 2003, and is now pursuing a consulting career. Kadkhodaian, who has been a minority shareholder in the Thunder since 1998, owns a group of soccer stores, Soccer USA, located in Texas and Minnesota. His local stores are located in Blaine and Burnsville, and have seen consistent growth since their opening in 1997 and 1999, respectively. Kadkhodaian has been involved with the United Soccer League since its inception in 1986, as the owner and player with one of the original five indoor teams . Kadkhodaian has played and been involved with soccer in Minnesota since his arrival to the state in 1978.

Carter, 36, owns one of the largest indoor soccer centers in the Midwest -- Soccer Blast in Burnsville. The 92,000-square foot facility attracts more than 30,000 soccer players and parents each week during the five-month indoor season. Carter recently doubled the facility's size by adding on an indoor/outdoor domed area. The indoor facility will now become the Thunder's official indoor training center, will become one hub for Thunder youth development and serve as a marketing avenue for Thunder games. Carter is a native of Apple Valley.

Froslid, 38, recently joined FieldTurf, the world's leader in artificial turf, heading up its soccer sales and marketing in North America. Prior to this, Froslid led the Thunder to its five most successful financial years as its president and general manager. The Arden Hills, Minn., native played for the Thunder in its inaugural season in 1990, and later worked more than eight years for the US Soccer Federation in Chicago in communications, marketing and national teams administration.

"I'm confident that Saeed, Ron, Jim and the talented Thunder staff will reach greater heights," said George, who received one of the USL's most prestigious awards in 2003 for his long-term involvement in the league. "I'm looking forward to staying involved with the board and watching games at Griffin Stadium."

The final sale of the team is pending approval from the USL.

The Thunder opens the 2005 United Soccer League season on April 29 in Portland. The home opener is May 7 in the Metrodome against the Portland Timbers.

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