Story posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009
O'Hare Lakes Owner May Buy Greek Soccer Team
By TODD WESSELL Journal & Topics Editor
Des Plaines businessman Robert Kozonis, who last year tried unsuccessfully to garner city and state approval to develop a casino on his O'Hare Lakes office park property, may be poised to soon take over majority ownership of one of Greece's premiere professional soccer teams.
Kozonis, a Chicago area building and construction executive, has shown interest in acquiring a large stake in AEK Athens soccer club. Talks reportedly took place about a week ago in the Chicago area involving Kozonis and AEK executives.
"We're just doing our due diligence and that's all there is to it," said Kozonis on Monday when contacted by the Journal & Topics Newspapers. "We're looking to see if it's worth it as far as a business plan."
Established in 1924, AEK has grown to become one of the most successful soccer clubs in Greece winning 29 national titles.
About five years ago, Kozonis purchased the massive O'Hare Lakes office complex located on Devon Avenue west of the Tri-State Tollway. Late last fall, Kozonis proposed locating Illinois' 10th riverboat casino on his O'Hare Lakes property where he said he would build a huge entertainment complex that would include restaurants and other businesses.
Des Plaines leaders rejected Kozonis' request for their support saying they had already agreed to back the casino proposal of Chicago real estate billionaire Neil Bluhm.
The Illinois Gaming Board in late December picked Bluhm's proposal to locate his casino on River Road north of Devon Avenue in Des Plaines.
"I do like soccer, I played soccer," said Kozonis who is a native of Greece. He said he cannot discuss his possible purchase of the soccer team citing a confidentiality agreement he is involved in.
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