Inside MN Soccer interviews Bill McGuire and Nick Rogers

Brian Quarstad at Inside Minnesota Soccer is really the definitive word on all things happening with the Minnesota Stars, so it's no surprise that he's conducted what is more or less the definitive interview with the team's new owner, Bill McGuire - and McGuire's son-in-law, Nick Rogers, who will have a role running the team as well.

Quarstad gets McGuire to go much more in-depth on the team's stadium plans, in part confirming the expectation that the Stars may look to play cold-weather games at the Metrodome but summer games at their home at the National Sports Center in Blaine. McGuire also confirms that team president / director of soccer operations / CEO / jack-of-all-trades Djorn Buchholz will return, as will head coach Manny Lagos, he of the famed Manny Lagos Playoff Magic. And he sets his attendance goals - 8,000 to 10,000 per game. (Better get your season tickets now.)

As always, we encourage you to read the whole thing at Inside Minnesota Soccer.

Star Tribune interviews new Stars owner William McGuire

David La Vaque of the Star Tribune has the first interview with new Minnesota Stars FC owner William McGuire, the former CEO of UnitedHealth. Though McGuire has not yet been officially announced as the team's owner, La Vaque was able to cover a few key things we've all been wondering.

McGuire admitted that building the team's fan base, not attempting to get into the MLS club or getting a new stadium, was his first priority as owner. His most telling quote was this one:

Folks who come to the games have a good time, but there are only 3-4,000 of them.

To that end, McGuire said the team would explore playing games next year at sites other than the team's home at the National Sports Center in Blaine. However, with the NASL season split into two halves next season - with the first half beginning in February and the month of July game-free - it was always likely that the team would have to explore indoor options, or potentially face a season-opening nine- or ten-game road trip.

Of course, we encourage you to read the whole interview at StarTribune.com.

The Stars will hold a press conference at 3 p.m. Thursday at Brit's Pub in downtown Minneapolis, and have invited fans and media alike to take part. No doubt it'll be a slightly raucous affair - and, for Stars fans, a slightly joyous one as well.

Report: Ownership group led by former United Health Group CEO Bill McGuire

According to the most informed soccer writer in Minnesota, Brian Quarstad of Inside Minnesota Soccer, the team's new owner is a rather big name.

Sources have speculated that the ownership group taking over the team will be led by Millionaire William “Bill” McGuire, M.D., known for building UnitedHealth Care to the largest health maintenance organization in the US. The league office would not confirm the speculation.

Quarstad speculates that McGuire would include his son-in-law, local lawyer Nicholas Rogers, as part of the running of the club. According to the report, both McGuire and Rogers have been in attendance at Stars games and functions this season.

The move would be reminiscent of the ownership of the Stars's precursor, the Minnesota Thunder, who were owned by former Medtronic CEO Bill George during their successful period in the 1990s and early 2000s. Between 1998 and 2003, the Thunder won an A-League title and lost in the finals three other times, all under the auspices of George's ownership.

Minnesota Stars to return in 2013

The NASL and the Minnesota Stars announced that the team has been purchased by a local ownership group, and will continue play in 2013.