De La Hoya's punching his way into Houston Dynamo ownership

No word yet on whether the fishnets will become part of the team kits

We're a couple of days late reporting on this, but this one concerns our favourite diminutive, cross-dressing pugilist, Oscar De La Hoya. As it will be announced tomorrow in a formal ceremony at Houston's Jones Plaza, the Golden Boy is buying into the Houston Dynamo.

His company, Golden Boy Promotions Inc., along with private equity firm Brener International Group LLC, are each purchasing a 25 percent stake in the club with a view to develop the Dynamo brand in the Hispanic market.

Parent company Anschutz Entertainment Group [AEG] will still retain a 50 percent share of the club, and will retain operating responsibility of the team.

So what does it all mean?

Any way you slice it, the deal is a good bit of business for De La Hoya and co., as Houston is arguably the biggest MLS brands right now. They're back-to-back champions, they're currently working on the plans to build an $80 million, 22,000-seater stadium not far from Minute Maid Park, and fuck, they've got Brian Ching!

Their value now is around $40 million, a significant jump from their pre-MLS Cup wins, and they've got recent success on their side. AEG has been looking for a while to cut back its investments in MLS to focus on the "crown jewel" that is the LA Galaxy, and the De La Hoya/Brener fit was a perfect match, as they've partnered before in other sports and boxing ventures and done quite well.

The big unveiling is tomorrow at lunchtime, so expect fireworks. I want the MLS to do thrive and succeed, and bringing in big-name investors is a great sign of things to come. Let's just hope they don't start chasing the other washed-up Beckhams of the world as the Galaxy have done. [LA has recently signed former Newcastle and Chelsea defender Celestine Babayaro, who was released from his Magpies contract at the end of 2007]

Below, the flyer for the Houston Dynamo event tomorrow. If you are in the Houston area and can attend, let us know via the email address to the right.