(KGTV) Like a lot of dads, Joe Tsai often finds himself standing on the side of a local field, cheering on his kids in the family's favorite sport.
Tsai loves lacrosse. He hopes San Diego will love lacrosse, too. Thanks to his day job as the billionaire founder and executive vice chairman of worldwide internet giant Alibaba Group, he's in a position to share his passion as owner of the San Diego Seals.
The Seals opened their first National Lacrosse League season last month, and drew over 11,000 fans to their home opener last Saturday at Pechanga Arena. For Tsai, the Seals represent a chance to promote the game he loves and cultivate new fans.
"I think it's a terrific game. It teaches you a lot about not just the sports itself, but life lessons," Tsai told 10News in a phone interview from Hong Kong.
"I'm a regular guy. I'm very focused on growing lacrosse at all levels. It's the fastest sport on two feet."
Tsai expects the Seals to play at Pechanga Arena for at least the next two years. Speculation has also swirled that the billionaire is investigating the possibility of building a new downtown arena to host the Seals along with other teams and events.
He says nothing is in the works immediately. "Of course that is the question on the horizon. It's a question that involves the whole city of San Diego and we want to approach it in a methodical, proper way."
The Seals will play their second-ever home game on Friday night when they host the Calgary Roughnecks at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at SealsLax.com.
