Dynamo Owner Gabrier Brener
Dynamo Owner Gabriel Brener // Photo: Wilf Thorne
GABRIEL BRENER, DYNAMO’S NEW OWNER, IS ALL ABOUT WINNING
The Houston Dynamo have been making some big changes this off-season – perhaps one of the biggest is the announcement of their new managing partner, GABRIEL BRENER, who acquired the team from AEG. For the first time in Dynamo history, the team has independent ownership. Brener, a husband and father of four, has been a minority owner (and majority supporter) since 2008. Brener, a México native and successful entrepreneur, has always looked for new opportunities and is the epitome of hard work. But he doesn’t consider his new role with the Dynamo work. “This is not a difficult job because it’s not work. Actually this is just a lot of fun. I come; I have a lot of fun with the players, with the coaching staff and with the front office,” he says with a smile.
But it’s not all fun and games for the entrepreneur. He’s more focused on winning than anyone out there. Dynamo fans can rest assured that Brener and the rest of the ownership group (consisting of Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein and Ben Guill) will be very much focused on winning. “As an owner, I have learned that I hate to lose and I love to win. It’s the truth!”
Brener already has plans to change some things up (with the ultimate goal simply: TO WIN), but one of the things he thinks will make the biggest impact is having a family name and “true person” behind the club, as opposed to just a corporate logo. He hopes this will resonate with fans across the diverse city of Houston, particularly with millennials. After all, millennials are who the Dynamo and the MLS are targeting as a fan base to help grow the love of the sport.
As for the MLS in general, Brener is a huge supporter and feels the league has only scratched the surface. “Soccer is growing in this country; not only in this city and this community but across the country – it’s the fastest growing sport out there. There are over 8½ million kids enrolled in American youth soccer organizations across the country. We have the wind behind us,” he explains. If you’re one of the few that hasn’t checked out a Dynamo or Dash game yet, Brener highly recommends it. Not only for the quality play on the field, which he promises fans, but all the action in and around EaDo (East Downtown Houston, where the stadium sits). “We aim to deliver the best experience possible,” Brener says.
When it comes to the Houston Dash and NWSL, he says that Carli Lloyd is shining more light on this great opportunity for women. Brener told HoustonDynamo.com that the team and league “gives an equal opportunity for women to shine.” As for the city itself, Brener is no stranger. “Houston means a lot to me. We definitely have roots in the city,” he says with a fondness.
DON’T MISS THE DYNAMO’S HOME OPENER SUNDAY, MARCH 6, VS. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION.
This article originally ran in LOCAL Houston Magazine’s print issue (the Sports Issue) for March 2016. To see the online version, click here.
Since I am out of town for opening day (this Sunday), I am giving away my tickets. Simply leave a comment below if you want to win my tickets – I’ll pick one lucky winner tomorrow (Friday, March 4th) at 12p CST to take my place!
This is AWESOME!!
This would be My first game & opening Day WOOHOO .
Great for Soccer and Houston. Thanks!
Pick me going to opening would be pretty cool
Ahhhh unfortunately you’re going to miss a great game! But luckily someone gets to go in your place. Thanks for the opportunity. Go Dynamo!
You will make a difference in my boy’s life with this
He dreams to become a soccer player
And he’s been playing for 5 seasons now
He’s 10years old
Thanks for the awesomeness
Good read! Would be grate to be able to make it to the game
A great piece on a team and ownership group hungry for the success it experienced in its first few years in Houston. Hope you can make it out to some Dynamo and Dash games later this season!
This is a very good for the Dynamo and their fans. Fans always felt like the team was the red headed step child of AEG. Wether the perception was right or not it seemed like the Galaxy was always the favorite of the AEG ownership.
Finally a more personal owner
Thanks to all who read and entered! The winner is Marty Hensley – please email me so we can get your tickets set up at will call. Everyone else, thanks for the comments, and stay tuned. We have another Dynamo giveaway coming up soon and we may be partnering on an event in the near future. Happy Friday and GO DYNAMO!