Washington, D.C. (May 21, 2009) - Victor MacFarlane announces today his sale of his ownership interest in the D.C. United soccer club to his partner Will Chang. Formerly co-led by Victor MacFarlane, MacFarlane-Chang D.C. Soccer LLC is a venture that owns and controls the operating rights to D.C. United of Major League Soccer (MLS). The venture included MacFarlane, founder and managing principal of MacFarlane Partners, and William H.C. ("Will") Chang, chairman of the global investment firm Westlake International Group and one of the owners of the Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants.
“Under the continuing ownership and leadership of my very good and long-time friend Will Chang and the D.C. United management team, I am confident there will be many more trophies to come,” said MacFarlane. “It has been an exciting and challenging last few years for D.C. United. I have been so positively impressed with the limitless support of our fans, as well as the community, who all so energetically have voiced their desire to keep the team in the area. Though I now change my status from owner and fan to just fan, I plan to continue to champion D.C. United’s goals - on and off the field.”
MacFarlane and Chang purchased the rights to D.C. United in January 2007 from the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG). Chang assumes sole control of the team. All other team management will remain in place.
“We have many challenges ahead for both the team and a stadium site, but I am confident we will emerge successful on both fronts - including bringing the club to a stronger international level,” said Chang. “We will only improve our strategy on and off the field.”
“Will’s management expertise and passion for the team already reap benefits in performance as demonstrated by the unpredicted success of the team to date. I am certain those traits will bring the team to new heights. As I devote greater attention to MacFarlane Partners and my projects in multiple cities coast to coast, I will continue to track and root for D.C. United, and assist my friend Will, if and when needed,” added MacFarlane.
About MacFarlane Partners
MacFarlane Partners is a real estate investment management firm that manages $10 billion in assets on behalf of some of the world’s largest pension plans and institutions. Founded in 1987, the firm pioneered the urban investment concept among institutional real estate investment managers in the mid-1990s and today is a preferred capital provider for properties that promote smart growth, urban revitalization and sustainability in urban and high-density suburban areas nationwide.
MacFarlane Partners is headquartered in San Francisco, with regional offices in Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; and the greater New York metropolitan area. For additional information, please visit the firm’s Web site at www.macfarlanepartners.com
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About D.C. United
Headquartered in Washington, DC and playing home matches at RFK Stadium, D.C. United is the most successful professional soccer organization in the history of the United States. United is four-time MLS Cup Champions (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004) and winners of the 1996 and 2008 U.S. Open Cup, the 1998 CONCACAF Champions Cup, the 1998 Interamerican Cup and the 1997, 1999, 2006 and 2007 MLS Supporters Shield. United is one of 15 teams comprising Major League Soccer, joining CD Chivas USA, the Chicago Fire, the Colorado Rapids, the Columbus Crew, FC Dallas, the Houston Dynamo, the Kansas City Wizards, the Los Angeles Galaxy, the New England Revolution, Red Bull New York, Real Salt Lake, the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC and Toronto FC. The League’s 16th team, based in Philadelphia, will begin play in 2010, while teams to begin play in 2011 have been awarded to Portland and Vancouver. For the latest headlines and official information on the Black-and-Red, logon to www.dcunited.com .
Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.
Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440
