Jeff DiVeronica

@RocDevo

Return of the Rhinos.

That's the 2016 slogan for Rochester's pro soccer team and it might sound odd for a franchise that has been around for 20 years and is coming off a USL championship, its first since 2001. On the field, the Rhinos resumed their perch as the league's best team, something that was common while it won A-League crowns in 1998, 2000 and 2001 and the U.S. Open Cup in 1999.

But off the field, the Rhinos were faltering. Their fan base was shrinking despite the team going 20-1-10 last season, and finally in December the city of Rochester revoked former owner Rob Clark's lease to operate Rochester's downtown stadium.

The USL stepped in, went looking for a new ownership and found the Dworkins, who live in Brighton and will officially be introduced as the team's third ownership group at an 11:45 a.m. Thursday news conference at the Strathallan Hotel in Rochester. They'll introduce new team logos and introduce several new initiatives to enhance the fan experience at Rhinos' matches.

"We're beyond excited about this venture," David Dworkin, 47, said Wednesday.

New Rhinos owners are part owners of Sacramento Kings

His wife is a lawyer and he works in real estate. The family, which has family ties to Les Harrison, the original owner and coach of the 1951 NBA champion Rochester Royals, also has an ownership stake in the Sacramento Kings. They're both Syracuse University graduates.

The new owners will talk about the investment they've already made at Rochester Rhinos Stadium and with the team. A new scoreboard already has been installed. The old, matted artificial turf field is being ripped up this week and a new one should be in place within two weeks. The Dworkins will give more details on what they expect to be an investment of more than $1 million for the upcoming season.

That includes expanding the front office dramatically, from about eight employees to 16. The Rhinos have hired a chief business officer, who'll be introduced Thursday, an accounting and finance manager and a ticket office manager. They have bolstered their ticket sales staff and are looking to fill more positions. They're also still looking to hire a director of sponsorship and public relations/social media director.

USL schedule is out; Rhinos open title defense April 2

"Overnight they're going from the bottom of the USL to one of the top teams in the league, as far as staffing, which is the fundamental need for good customer service and providing for a great fan experience," USL Chief Marketing Office Tom Veit said.

The Rhinos' preseason is already under way. The home opener for coach Bob Lilley's team is on Saturday, April 23. The season opener is April 2 at Pittsburgh.

JDIVERON@Gannett.com

Devo: 2015 Rhinos, a 'forever' team