The Wilf family, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, completed their purchase of Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride last week, the latest in a flurry of soccer team investments.
Terms weren’t disclosed, but the deal has been pegged at up to $450 million. The DeVos family, which owns the NBA’s Orlando Magic, joined as a limited partner.
The Wilfs are among several individuals investing in both MLS and NWSL teams.
- Ted Segal bought the Houston Dynamo and Dash in June for an estimated $400 million. Oscar De La Hoya and the Brooklyn Nets’ James Harden became minority owners of both franchises.
- In December, Dell Loy Hansen, owner of MLS’ Real Salt Lake, sold the NWSL’s Utah Royals FC to a group that moved the franchise to Kansas City.
- Mia Hamm-Garciaparra is a part owner of LAFC and Angel City FC, which is set to join the NWSL in 2022.
MLS clubs are on an upward trend: Both DC United and LAFC were recently valued at over $700 million.
The nature of MLS team ownership could be set to change. Earlier this month, MLS opened its doors to private equity financing after taking close to $1 billion in losses last year due to pandemic-related attendance shortfalls.
