Flanked by the respective commissioners of Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League on Tuesday afternoon, new majority owner Ted Segal addressed the city of Houston and the press for the first time in his new role at Houston Dynamo Football Club. With an air of excitement and humility, Segal acknowledged that his role goes beyond simply owning the team and committed to deepening the organization’s ties to the community.
“I recognize that to assume majority ownership of a professional sports club is to assume the role of lead steward of a vital community asset,” said Segal. “Having the opportunity to help lead this club in Houston – a dynamic, diverse, and growing city – with such a storied history in professional sports, is truly exciting. Houston is a world-class city that deserves world-class teams. I believe the Dynamo and Dash should represent the very best of Houston, and I recognize that my role is to provide the teams with the resources necessary to succeed on and off the pitch.”
Each of Segal’s fellow participants in the press conference, Don Garber and Lisa Baird, used their opening statements to give the new majority owner a vote of confidence as an innovator that is committed to the city of Houston and both clubs that he now stewards.
“Our goal at the National Women’s Soccer League is to uplift and showcase the rockstar talent within our league,” said Baird. “I know Ted and his team are going to take us to the next level. Houston is a sports town, and for us it’s a particularly proud moment to acknowledge that the Dash not only won last year’s Challenge Cup but were recognized as Houston’s sports moment of the year in 2020. We’re excited, Ted, to have you continue this winning tradition with the NWSL.”
MLS Commissioner Garber added, “Fortunately for the city of Houston, Ted has decided to make an impact on American soccer here. This is a massive city with an incredibly passionate sports following across the board. It’s always been known as an incredible soccer town. I said to Ted when he came down that BBVA Stadium is probably the best location in Major League Soccer. It led the urban stadium development movement that we have today. It has the facilities, it has the location and it has a passionate group of supporters. What needs to happen is connecting the dots, having this ownership group moving the Dynamo and Dash forward.”
Segal wasted no time in announcing a slew of moves on his first day in charge, appointing Jamey Rootes, formerly of the Houston Texans, as Chief Executive Officer. Segal additionally announced a slew of charitable contributions - $100,000 to fund Dynamo Charities’ programs in 2021, and $125,000 in grassroot program funding for the committee to bring the 2026 World Cup to Houston. Segal’s day of work extended to the pitch as well, announcing defender Tim Parker had been signed to a three-year contract extension. Finally, Segal announced the signing of Teenage Hadebe on a Designated Player deal from Yeni Malatyaspor.
It was a flurry of moves that garnered praise from Segal’s fellow participants in the press conference.
“I have great confidence that the best days are ahead,” remarked Commissioner Garber. “Ted’s plans, vision, and commitments he’s made from day one is remarkable. I’ve been in a lot of press conferences, and not too many people are announcing what they’re doing from day one – charitable contributions, player signings, key employee signings in a new structure. This is going to be enormously important to growing this sport in this part of the country.”
In addition to commenting on his initial announcements, Baird made a point of emphasis that there should be no doubt regarding the equal commitment that Segal has undertaken to not only the Dynamo, but the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup champion Dash.
“In addition to this being a generational experience, we look for owners that fundamentally commit to treating their women’s team the same as their men’s team. And I can assure you Ted will,” Lisa added.
Segal himself laid out three pillars that will ensure success under his leadership in Houston: providing resources to succeed, enhancing fan experience, and fostering ties to the community. Describing his role as a “understated but active”, Segal was humble regarding his expertise and ensured that he would trust the “experts” within the organization to bring the club to success.
“I absolutely care about making the Houston Dynamo the number one soccer team in MLS, and one can aspire to make it the number one team globally. I intend to bring resources to the experts – on the business and player side – to maximize the opportunity for success. I do work primarily in real estate, but I’m not the person who surveys every plot of land. You defer to the experts but collaborate with them to best put yourself in the position to succeed. That’s my intention in Houston.”
With one eye on the work ahead for him, Segal closed his availability with a message for the club’s supporters.
“Everything we do will be with the goals of building a championship club and fostering the ties to the community that our club is lucky to call home. As a new member of this community, I wholeheartedly welcome the input of our supporters and our community members on how to best achieve these goals. With that I’ll say, let’s “Hold it Down” and get to work.”
