For weeks, Tozer had been waiting for that call, the answer to the "Save the Wave" campaign as he and Wave fans desperately looked for a lifeline to keep the team in Milwaukee. By the time Jim Lindenberg called, Tozer was almost out of options.

"When I finally understood who he was, I got a huge ray of hope," says Tozer.

Tozer soon realized that Lindenberg had the means and the interest to make a viable offer for the Wave and to invest in making the team a success. He sold the company he founded, World Class Wire and Cable, for an estimated $62 million in October 2008, right before the bubble burst on the United States economy.

For years, Lindenberg had received offers to buy his company and finally seemed the right thing to do. "There were messages everywhere that it was time," Lindenberg says.

After the sale, Lindenberg, who lives in Hartland, concentrated on his business consulting company, Lindy Enterprises, as well as JML Holdings, a commercial and select residential property company.

One of his five children, 13-year-old son, Jack, heard about the Wave’s predicament on the radio and made the pitch to his dad.

"He said it would just be so sad if the Wave ended for good," says Lindenberg. "I talked with my wife who mentioned all the wonderful things the Wave does in the community. Then, I called the coach."

The more Lindenberg learned about the Milwaukee Wave, the more interested he became. "It has all the components," says Lindenberg. "I like sports, love kids and good family entertainment."

Lindenberg’s strong suits are sales, marketing, networking and growth — all desperately needed by the Milwaukee Wave organization. "It couldn’t have worked out better," says Lindenberg. "It was perfect timing."

The deal came together quickly with former owner Charles Krause, for an undisclosed purchase price. "We agreed on a handshake and jumped in," says the new owner.Lindenberg’s latest venture will require all of the business savvy he developed in his years as a business entrepreneur. "The team has lost serious money for years. Most sports franchises do," says Lindenberg. "It will be a challenge to break even."

Just a few months before the season begins, Lindenberg is hard at work putting his strategy to infuse the Milwaukee Wave with more excitement, sales and community recognition.

Finding more corporate sponsors, increasing season ticket sales by 2,000 to 3,000 per season and focusing on clothing merchandise sales are part of that strategy. The other component is highlighting what Lindenberg sees as the team’s greatest asset — its involvement in and commitment to the greater Milwaukee community.

From working with area youth in soccer programs to visiting hospitals and leading character development programs in schools, Milwaukee Wave players are an active part of the community even when they’re not on the soccer field, says Lindenberg.

"The soccer world knows what a great team it is, but non-soccer fans don’t know," says Lindenberg. "We also want to attract non-sports fans to the Wave."

One step to attracting new fans is the new "It’s Your Team" campaign Lindenberg recently launched to solicit ideas from the community. "We want everyone to take ownership and pride in the team," he says. "Tell us what you want to see."

Offering special nights for groups like scouts and corporations, bringing back the dance team, launching a contest for a new mascot — Lindenberg says he is open to all suggestions.

The Milwaukee Wave is the oldest indoor soccer team in the nation and also the team with the most wins. In 26 years, the team has won four national championships. Much of the team’s success on the field is due to Tozer, Lindenberg says. "He’s just a great asset," he says. "Milwaukee doesn’t know what we have."

The five Lindenberg children, ranging from 13-year-old twins to a 23-year-old college graduate, all attended Milwaukee Wave soccer camps, and the family had been to a few games, but he never imagined actually owning the team.

"It wasn’t a goal or a dream of mine, but it has all the things I love," Lindenberg says. "The kids are excited about going to the games, and my wife (Nancy) has started the Wave of Hope, our nonprofit organization. If you help someone, it helps everyone. Nancy and I feel very strongly about that. People like to help people."For the coach and players, things have never looked better. "I’m as excited now as when I came to Milwaukee in 1992," says Tozer. "In four to five weeks, he’s changed so much already."