Ryan Gauss has a word or two of advice for anyone looking to purchase the London City Soccer Club.

“This isn’t a garage sale. It was the right time to say we are accepting offers, but I won’t be calling up anyone asking them if they want to buy London City,” says Ryan, the team’s chief executive officer and general manger. “This isn’t about the money. If someone is passionate about soccer in London, is knowledgeable, has business savvy, we will listen. For all those people who said they could do better, now is the time to put your money where your mouth is. But could I still be running this team five years from now? You never know.”

Last week Ryan announced London City – North America’s oldest professional soccer club – was being put up for sale. However, Ryan says the decision was made not as a cash grab for the Gauss family or because he doesn’t believe in the future of professional soccer in London.

In fact, Ryan says the decision has less to do with money than it does with family.

“This is one of the hardest decisions, outside of something about the family, that we’ve had to make. From a business perspective, it’s the most difficult,” Ryan says. “But it was a family decision. The Gauss family is involved in every aspect of this organization and even though I am CEO, that is my role, it wasn’t me making a decision. This was something we agreed that was finally the right time to talk about.”

Ryan’s grandfather Markus created London City in 1973. Shortly after that founding, Ryan’s father Harry took over. However, in 2006, Harry was diagnosed with a brain tumour and Ryan took over with the understanding that he would give back control of the organization when his father was strong enough to return.

Unfortunately, with Harry in declining health, Ryan says he had to make the decision that was ultimately best for him and his new wife Haley.

“I was warming his (Harry’s) seat, I said from the start this was to protect his legacy. My father built this legacy, but I am not Harry Gauss, I don’t have his experience, his knowledge. And the truth is, I have other ambitions, goals and desires,’ says Ryan, 23. “My dad and I talked about selling over the past few years. This wasn’t going to be my career path. There are a lot of things I want to do. I plan on running in city politics. I have my degree, I’m interested in teaching, but that takes time, going back to school. This job is a monster, so it was time to see what other opportunities were out there.”

One particular opportunity Ryan says played a big role in this decision was his desire to not only look out for his own future, but that of his wife as well.

“I was recently married and my wife Haley, I know she would always be there. She has said right from the beginning she would support me. But she doesn’t deserve to be caught up in this business and soccer can be a dirty business,” Ryan says. “My mom Kathleen has been a big part of this organization for nearly four decades, she’s made a lot of sacrifices for soccer. But I had to think, how fair is it for me to ask that of Haley? I know I didn’t sign up to have this be a part of my life for the next 36 years. I think I have earned the right to look at building my own legacy.”

Ryan is hesitant to say what the asking price would be for London City. However, Ryan does say an expansion franchise in the Canadian Soccer League would cost someone $100,000.

“And that is for an expansion franchise. London City has 36 years of history, is one of the flagship franchises in the Canadian Soccer League, so I will leave any asking price up to people’s imagination,” Ryan says. “It wouldn’t be a good business decision if I didn’t place a value on my franchise. It has to be the right time, the right offer and money has little to do with it.”

Whatever the asking price, Ryan says there is a time limit on this sale.

“As of Nov. 15, it’s back to business, there won’t be anymore talking about this, I will focus on the season. I don’t want a potential sale to be out there as a distraction,” Ryan says. “We had never talked about putting the team up for sale before. So now we are telling people we will listen. In this world everything is for sale; everything has a price. We will always listen, but I will not be seeking people out, the credentials of this organization speak for themselves.”

As for what it will take for him to sign off on a new deal, Ryan says many factors will come into play and price might not be a high priority.

“If I had two bids and one was $15,000 less, but I knew that person was going to carry on this legacy, I would take that over someone who wasn’t committed to having professional soccer in London,” Ryan says. “My biggest thing, I think everyone who knows me would say this, is integrity. If a potential buyer doesn’t have integrity, if they aren’t interested in this community, in this sports industry, then why would I do that deal? I will entertain offers from anywhere, but my priority is to ensure professional soccer stays in London.”

But should a deal be signed, Ryan admits he would have mixed feelings about signing on the dotted line.

“It would be tough. Honestly, there would be a little relief. Soccer is such a dirty business; people will stab you in the back, in the front and in your side. It is very stressful, it’s a full-time job and I already have a full-time job with the RCMP,” Ryan says. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m no martyr; I’ve loved this job. I have learned so much more than I could in any normal business. But I could spend more time with my family; I could explore other opportunities. There would be sadness; my entire life has been London City. We have gone back and forth a lot on this, but maybe this is just the right time.”