Metros No More, Hello Red Bulls

Major League Soccer and Red Bull announced today that the MetroStars were bought by Red Bull. Some reports put the purchase price at as much as $30 million. The team's official name is "Red Bull New York" and will be the New York Red Bulls on the pitch. It's the energy drink company's 2nd foray into soccer team ownership. Their other team, Red Bull Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga. In their announcement of the purchase, Red Bull said that their two teams will work closely together, and Alexi Lalas will remain as the GM of the team (see our interview with Lalas). The team's new stadium in Harrison, NJ will be "Red Bull Arena".

The Red Bulls will open their season with new uniforms at D.C. United on April 2nd. The Red Bulls also become the latest team to play in New Jersey, but use the New York in their name. Does this mean that Red Bull will replace Gatorade as a sideline drink during the team's games? Gothamist is hoping that the sale will inspire a new chant across the league when New York comes to town - "bull shit!"