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Black buys Wave from Lindenberg

04/07/2013, 9:08am CDT

By ERIC ANDERSON

Less than two months after becoming the Milwaukee Wave's president and CEO, Sue Black now owns the Major Indoor Soccer League team.

Black purchased the team from Milwaukee-area businessman Jim Lindenberg, a deal announced at a news conference Wednesday. Terms of the sale were not announced.

"This team is all about positive energy," Black said in a news release. "The Wave is entwined in Wisconsin and has a tradition of making such an impact in so many facets. The real passion is that I will be able to give back to the community that I love.

"It has always been about my hometown and will continue to be."

Lindenberg owned the Wave for four years, buying the franchise from Charles Krausein 2009. Black is the former director of the Wisconsin State Parks system and former Milwaukee County Parks director.

Milwaukee Wave owner Sue Black / Photo by Cassandra Zimmerman, Milwaukee Wave

"I can't think of anyone better to continue to lead this very proud and successful franchise," Lindenberg said. "Sue has many connections in Wisconsin, is a very hard worker and has a very successful track record. The future of the Milwaukee Wave looks promising."

The Wave increased game attendance, season-ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and merchandise sales in each year Lindenberg owned the team, according to the news release.

Milwaukee also won back-to-back MISL championships in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, giving the team six titles in its 29-year history – founded in 1984, the team bills itself as the nation's oldest continuously operating professional soccer club.

"I want to thank Jim. He proved that dedication, hard work and commitment can produce success both on the field and off," said coach Keith Tozer, the Wave's coach for the past 21 years. "In the short period of time working with Sue as president/CEO, it became very clear and obvious of her remarkable talents as a very smart businesswoman."