Red Bull Energy Drink Buys a Soccer Team

Arguably the world's best-known and fastest-growing energy drink brand, Red Bull set it sights on diversifying by buying an Austrian football, er, "soccer," team last year when they snappped up what is now called Red Bull Salzburg. But Red Bull, which is an Austrian company itself, has expanded its mini-sports empire. The company has paid about $100 million for the hideously named New York New Jersey Metrostars. (Seriously,"New York New Jersey Metrostars," that is the club's name, or, rather, that is what it was. Red Bull has wisely renamed the club "Red Bull New York." Despite the corporate name, it rolls off the tongue quite nicely. However in a very New York sort of irony, the new New York team will continue to play in New Jersey, and, in fact, the club is currently building a brand new stadium in NJ. Not that too many people care about this development, nor that too many people have cared about the Metrostars themselves. New Yorkers care more about Manhattan potholes than about their professional soccer team. Anyway, the Red Bull purchase is a step in the right direction. Go, Red Bull New York! Go!

Posted by Thurston Ali at March 13, 2006 09:18 PM