MLS Award New Soccer Team to Los Angeles

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber today announced a new Los Angeles team has been awarded to an ownership group led by entrepreneur Henry Nguyen, adiposity sports and entertainment leader Peter Guber and sports veteran Tom Penn.

Los Angeles Football Club is scheduled to debut in 2017 in a new soccer stadium built specifically for the team in the greater Los Angeles area.

“We are thrilled to welcome Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber, Tom Penn and their owner partners to Major League Soccer,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

“This visionary ownership group will chart a course that will further elevate the sport in this great city and, combined with a new state-of-the-art stadium, accelerate us down the path toward becoming one of the top soccer leagues in the world.”

Nguyen, the Managing General Partner of IDG Ventures Vietnam, is the managing partner of the new MLS club.

“We believe this team can become one of the most outstanding clubs in Major League Soccer and a globally-recognised brand,” said Nguyen.

Guber is chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group, the owner and co-executive chairman of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and co-owner of Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. Guber will serve as executive chairman of the new MLS club.

“The business of sports and entertainment is all about winning on the field and providing an exciting product that will develop a passionate and loyal fan base,” said Guber.

“The Los Angeles market has millions of soccer supporters, and we know that this new team can fulfill the promise of success on the field and provide a great experience for our fans.”

Joining Nguyen, Guber and Penn, the new team’s ownership group includes US Soccer star, Mia Hamm Garciaparra, former Los Angeles Lakers star and Los Angeles Dodgers owner, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, owner of the Football League Championship’s Cardiff City, Vincent Tan and many more.

“Today is day one and time for us to focus on developing a world-class stadium for the club to play in and for fans to enjoy,” said Nguyen.

The new Los Angeles team’s brand identity, along with the front office, coaching and administrative staff will be announced at later dates.

They will become the second soccer franchise in Los Angeles, which is currently home to the four-time MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy.

“Los Angeles is a diverse, vibrant market with millions of soccer fans, and we look forward to an intense rivalry between the Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club,” added Garber.

With the addition of the new Los Angeles club, MLS will become a 22-team league in 2017 as a new expansion team in Atlanta will also begin play that year. Two more expansion teams will be added by 2020.

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