Tuesday, June 16, 2026

MLS, NWSL Team Investments Going Strong

  • Major League Soccer and the National Women’s Soccer League have been sought after targets for new and established sports owners.
  • Some owners have stakes in both leagues.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gareth Bale
Exclusive

Gareth Bale Launches Sports Fund, Still Eyeing Cardiff Bid

“It’s about being patient, finding the right club, and the right path for us to take.”
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Landon Donovan discusses investment opportunities with the NWSL.

Landon Donovan: NWSL Is ‘Best Investment in Sports’

The former USMNT captain pointed to the USWNT’s success as proof.
Exclusive

No White House Invite Yet for NWSL Champion Gotham FC

The club was the first NWSL team to visit, in 2024.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.

Tottenham Boardroom Rivalry Ends With Former Chairman’s Exit

Spurs say they “don’t know anything about” the deal.
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, during the media conference celebrating the 1000-day countdown to LA28 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
May 8, 2026

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
Sponsored

How Long Acre Tavern Is Built to Handle Soccer’s Biggest Moments

Learn how Spectrum Business helps keep Long Acre Tavern in Times Square connected and ready to serve soccer fans from around the world.
April 23, 2026

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
John and Louis Antonelli
Exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.
Jack Nicklaus speaks to media prior to the start of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025.
March 27, 2026

Jack Nicklaus Re-Acquires Nicklaus Companies After Lawsuit

Nicklaus takes back ownership of marks like the iconic Golden Bear.