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San Diego, which was a well-publicised
front-runner to be awarded the expansion franchise, follows
several other recent additions to the top-flight North American
league, including St Louis City SC, which debuted this year.
"For many years we have believed San Diego would be a terrific
MLS market due to its youthful energy, great diversity, and the
fact that soccer is an essential part of everyday life for so
many people," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement.
Mansour, the founder and chairman of London-based investment
firm Man Capital, shelled out a reported $500 million fee for
the expansion franchise, making it one of the largest deals ever
for a soccer club.
The team will share the new, 35,000-seat Snapdragon Stadium with
an existing women's team, San Diego Wave of the National Women's
Soccer League.
Las Vegas, which has experienced a recent sporting boom with the
addition of the NHL's Golden Knights and the relocation of the
NFL's Raiders and WNBA's Aces, was also considered a
front-runner, as MLS looks to seize on the momentum of the 2026
World Cup in North America.
Joining Mansour's ownership group are the Sycuan Band of the
Kumeyaay Nation, the first Indigenous tribe to have a stake in
professional soccer in the United States, according to MLS.
Mansour, a senior treasurer and key donor for Britain's
Conservative Party, called the partnership a chance "to create a
powerful and lasting legacy for the city and region."
"Sycuan has deep roots to the San Diego community," said Sycuan
Tribal Chairman Cody Martinez.
"Our MLS team will provide us with a great opportunity to bring
together many different segments of the community."
Adding some star power to the ownership ranks is the San Diego
Padres six-time All-Star Manny Machado.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Toby Davis)
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