Arizona Businessman Poised to Buy Splash, Keep the Team in Anaheim

Barring a breakdown in negotiations, Scottsdale, Ariz., businessman Bill Williams will become the new majority owner of the Splash and keep the indoor soccer team at the Pond this summer.

Williams and Pond General Manager Brad Mayne spoke for several hours Saturday. On Monday, Mayne sent a proposal to Williams regarding the license and use agreement of the Pond, and how the equity of the franchise will be divided.

Ogden Facility Management Corp., which runs the Pond and owned the Splash the last two years, will retain a minority ownership.

Williams is purchasing the team from the league, which assumed franchise rights when Ogden failed to post a letter of credit on Feb. 1.

Among the major points of the proposal by Mayne: Williams will be responsible for staffing the franchise’s daily operations and ensure Ogden doesn’t lose any money; in return, Williams receives rent-free facility use and considerations for ancillary income.

Williams, who could not be reached Monday for comment, is CEO of American Nortel Communications, Inc., in Scottsdale, an international communications service.

Williams requested a 10-year agreement, which pleased Mayne.

“Obviously, stability and continuity is important to us,” Mayne said. “If I thought someone was getting involved for a one-year period or to move it somewhere else, I would not enter into an agreement.

“I think it’s fair to say that both entities have a common goal and our discussions have been fruitful in moving toward the goal of keeping the franchise in Anaheim, playing here this summer and long into the future. The items that have been agreed to in principle need to be formalized in writing. [It’s] tedious and time-consuming, but we’re committed in making it happen within the next several days.”