Sockers formally announce new owner
October 7, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
San Diego Sockers News Release
SAN DIEGO (Thursday, October 7, 2004) Â The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced today, at a press conference held at the Hilton San Diego Resort, that business entrepreneur Raj Kalra has assumed majority ownership of the MISL San Diego Sockers, according to MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. Kalra, with unanimous approval of the MISL Management Committee, assumes majority control of the Sockers from San Diego investor/operator David Altomare, who continues to hold a minority ownership position with the Sockers. The organization also announced today that 25-year business and marketing executive Jim Hartley has been appointed as Team President, effective immediately. Additionally, Ralf Wilhelms remains in his current role as Executive Vice President, while San Diego soccer fixture Brian Quinn enters his fifth season as General Manager and Head Coach.
"Today marks a great day in the history of indoor soccer in San Diego," said MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan. "I couldn't be more pleased than to add to our already distinguished group of investor/operators, Raj Kalra, who has built a successful business career with his acquisition strategies, acquiring many companies and improving their performances. Even more exciting is the prospect of Raj Kalra working in conjunction with Jim Hartley to define a greater fan experience for Sockers fans and to tap into the rich Hispanic culture that makes up the greater San Diego County region."
Kalra has spent the last 15 years buying and selling various companies. His business ventures into sports include the purchase of the Vancouver Ravens of the National Lacrosse League.
"I am extremely excited to step into this role with the Sockers," said Kalra. "San Diego's sports history has strong ties with the Sockers and I am committed to providing a quality experience to our fans and restoring the team to its legendary success."
As team president, Mr. Hartley is responsible for all of the team's business operations, including ticket sales, corporate sponsorship, community programs, marketing, public relations, and game day operations. He also oversees the management and development of the club's front office staff and works closely with head coach, Brian Quinn, on team matters.
Mr. Hartley most recently founded and ran a Los Angeles-based full-service marketing agency for 10 years before agreeing to be acquired by a larger international firm headquartered in New York. Previously, Mr. Hartley was a senior executive with a leading sports and event marketing agency for seven years. During his tenure there, he managed the company's strategic consulting division, developed and sold sponsorship programs for several properties including the National Hockey League, and opened and ran offices for the firm in Toronto and San Diego. Mr. Hartley began his business career in product management, spending seven years with consumer marketing giants Procter & Gamble and Carnation Company.
"I am looking forward to building on the Sockers rich history and taking this club to an even higher level of success than has been achieved in the past," said Hartley. "The combination of new ownership, a rejuvenated team, and a concentrated effort on reaching out to the San Diego marketplace will propel this organization to that goal."
About the MISL
The Major Indoor Soccer League is a single-entity organization featuring a coast-to-coast presence with eight teams located across the United States and a ninth team in Monterrey, Mexico. On February 27, the League announced an expansion team in Stockton, CA, that will begin play in 2005-06. On May 4, the League announced plans for an expansion team in Newark, NJ, that will begin play in 2007-08. The Dallas Sidekicks, currently reorganizing under new leadership, plan to return for the 2005-06 season. The MISL is the single major league of indoor soccer. In 2004-05, each MISL team will play an expanded 40-game (20 home/20 away) regular season schedule. The 2004-05 MISL regular season will run for 28 weeks, beginning on October 9 and concluding on April 24. The 2005 MISL Championship Series is scheduled to begin the weekend of April 29 and the 2005 MISL Champion will be crowned in mid-May. For more information on the MISL, visit the League's website at www.MISL.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from October 7, 2004
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