Philadelphia 76ers Owners Set to Buy a Chunk of DC United

According to ESPN Philadelphia 76ers minority owners Erick Thohir and Jason Levien have secured a deal to become the new co-owners of Major Leagus Soccer’s (MLS) DC United.

Sources told ESPN.com that Thohir and Levien are poised, pending MLS approval, to become partners next week with longtime DC United owner Will Chang, who also serves on the board of Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants. 

DC United are a well established MLS brand having won the MLS Cup a record four times (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004). CEO Kevin Payne, sources say, will continue to run the club’s day-to-day operations.

Thohir, an Indonesian media magnate who ranks as the first Asian owner in NBA history, and Levien, who worked as an NBA player agent before a stint in the Sacramento Kings’ front office that preceded his involvement with the Sixers, will make the construction of a new soccer-specific stadium for DC United their top priority. 

DC United are currently in first place in the Eastern Conference and play at RFK Stadium.