Houston Dynamo Owner Percentage And History

Ted Segal owns 85 percent of the MLS franchise after he bought the soccer club for $400 million in 2022. Lyle Ayes and James Harden are minority owners.

Back in 2021, it was reported that Ted Segal had acquired majority ownership of the Houston Dynamo. At that time, Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Ben Guill, and James Harden were the minority stakeholders.

The ownership breakdown before Segal paid a handsome fee for the major stake in the club in August 2022 had five owners including himself.

The shares belonging to Brener, Oscar, and Guill were bought by Segal and at the same time revealed that Lyle Ayes who was serving as the vice chairman of the Dynamo also became an equity investor.

Lyle Ayes co-founded Verance Capital and is the CEO and used to be an Operating Partner at RedBird Capital Partner where he gained experience on deals related to sports and media sectors.

James Harden reportedly acquired a 5% minor stake in the Houston Dynamo on July 18, 2019. He also became a part owner of the Houston Dash.

Although Harden was born in Los Angeles, California, he has had a soft corner for Houston and calls it his home. His decision to invest in the club aligned with expanding his business interests as well.

James Harden has been a minority owner since 2019 and is still in that role. His viral celebration during the Dynamo’s win in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup final against Inter Miami CF says a lot about the passion he has for his team.

He even went on to the winner’s podium to hand out medals and join in the team’s celebration.

James Harden net worth is estimated to be $165 million as of 2023. An endorsement deal worth $200 million in 2015 is one of the major contributors to his value.

The deal with the sportswear giants is over 13 years meaning it will run through 2028. Harden also signed a guaranteed $68,640,000 contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and will earn an estimated $35,640,000 in the 2023-2024 season as salary according to Spotrac.

Former owner Gabriel Berner said that Harden has a smart mind for business in addition to being a great basketball player. Apart from the Dynamo, Harden has also made some high-profile investments.

• BodyArmor – Sports drink
• Art of Sport (A.O.S) – Body and skin-care brand for athletes
• Stance – Sock Company

Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) first owned the Houston Dynamo in 2005. Phillip Anschutz co-founded the MLS and currently owns the LA Galaxy.

Ownership History timeline of the MLS club since its inception:

• 2005 – Anschutz Entertainment Group (Majority)
• 2008 – AEG (50%), Gabriel Brener (25%), Oscar De La Hoya (25%)
• 2015 – Gabriel Brener and Oscar De La Hoya (50%), Ben Guill and Jake Silverstein (50%)
• 2019 – Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Ben Guill, Jake Silverstein, James Harden
• 2021 – Ted Segal (Majority). Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Ben Guill, and James Harden (Minority)
• 2022 – Ted Segal (85%), Lyle Ayes (10%), and James Harden (5%)

2005

Houston was always considered a suitable destination for an MLS side to call their home. Back in November 2005, Don Garber, the league commissioner had indicated an expansion team to be part of Houston.

AEG was the owner of the San Jose Earthquakes and decided to move to Houston and give birth to the expansion team, the Houston Dynamo on December 15.

In addition to co-founding the MLS, the AEG is also one of the groups that pour in the most money as lead investors. A subsidiary of The Anschutz Corporation, it is the largest owner of sports teams and events in the world.

Phillip Anschutz founded the company in 1994 and became an investor of the Colorado Rapids. AEG was born after Phillip started investing in several sports teams and since 1996, the company has invested in the Chicago Fire, New York/New Jersey MetroStars, and D.C. United.

Under Anschutz’s ownership, the Dynamo won the MLS Cup in its very first season in 2006 and won their second in a row in 2007.

The MLS wanted owners to be allowed to own only one club and AEG owned the LA Galaxy as well. They had to sell the club’s 50% stake.

2008

After being forced to sell the shares, a partnership between Brener International Group and Golden Boy Promotions was formed. Gabriel Brener was the head of the Group and Oscar owned the boxing promotional firm.

In February 2008, Brener and boxing legend De La Hoya bought 50% of the club’s ownership which was equally divided between the two entities. AEG still had a 50% stake in the team.

2015

In late 2015, Brener bought the remaining 50% stake of the AEG by bringing in investors Ben Guill and Jake Silverstein. Brener was not the majority owner of the club.

After acquiring the team, the performance of the Dynamo was not up to the mark as they failed to qualify for the playoffs in multiple seasons. The fans also demanded a change in ownership, especially with De La Hoya who had hardly been involved with the team and its decisions.

2019

The ownership did not change much in 2019 but saw an addition of basketball star James Harden. On July 18, 2019, Harden became a minority owner of the Dynamo by purchasing a 5% stake.

Harden spent the majority of his career with the Houston Rockets having played for the NBA franchise from 2012-2021 and always considered Houston to be his home.

2021

Ted Segal became the majority owner of the Houston Dynamo from Brener in 2021 in a deal worth around $400 million. The minority owners were to retain their respective percentages and work alongside Segal toward a common goal.

The founder and president of EJS Group made his first investment in a sports team. He is also the co-founder of an investment vehicle, Verance Capital.

2022

In August 2022, Houston Dynamo owner Ted Segal bought the remaining minor shares of Brener, De La Hoya, and Guill and increased his stake in the club.

Having already paid a huge sum a year back for the majority ownership, the first-time sports team investor paid a few more million dollars for the remaining minor shares.