Sheikh Mansour & Man City complete MLS club deal

12:24 04/12/2013
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  • Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has continued to expand his sporting portfolio after it was confirmed Manchester City and the New York Yankees have formed an agreement to purchase an expansion franchise in Major League Soccer.

    New York City Football Club will become the 20th club in MLS in 2015 after a deal worth around 100million US dollars (AED367million) was concluded. The two clubs and MLS announced the partnership after a meeting at the league’s headquarters in central New York.

    Sheikh Mansour purchased City in 2008 and has invested heavily in turning the Premier League club into a major force. His bankrolling of City helped them land the Premier League title in 2012, their first league triumph in 44 years.

    And with an eye on the ever-expanding US soccer market, Sheikh Mansour and City, along with the Yankees, will own an MLS franchise, which will hope to be competing from the 2015 season.

    City chief executive Ferran Soriano said: “New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fanbase.

    “We are thrilled to contribute to the energy and growth of New York City soccer.

    “In the Yankees, we have found the absolute best partner for developing a world-class sports organisation and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride.”

    Majority owner

    City will be the majority owner of the new venture, with the Yankees, who previously had a commercial agreement with Manchester United, being an active member of the ownership group.

    The new club does not presently have a home but discussions are under way over the construction of a new stadium at Flushing Meadows in the Queens borough of the city. They will play at a temporary location until a development is completed.

    MLS commissioner Don Garber said: “We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious global sports organisations to Major League Soccer.

    “This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country.” 

    New York City will operate as a separate entity to Manchester City, although there will inevitably be close links between the teams.

    Soriano will now begin the process of putting in place a separate administration for the new entity, which will in turn appoint coaching staff and begin player recruitment.

    Manchester City’s possible expansion into the MLS was rumoured last month, although it was suggested it would be more of an enterprise undertaken by owner Sheikh Mansour rather than the club itself.

    Something special

    The involvement of the Yankees builds on a partnership City already have with baseball’s most famous club through Legends Hospitality, an international catering organisation. City are also due to play at Yankee Stadium in their second match against Chelsea on Saturday.

    The Yankees will not be involved in the football side of the business but will bring their considerable commercial expertise to the operation.

    Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the New York Yankees, said: “We look forward to the opportunity to work with Manchester City to create something very special for the soccer fans of New York – and to bringing another terrific team to this city for all sports fans to enjoy.”

    The right time

    MLS feel the time is right for expansion having seen considerable growth in attendances and viewing figures over the past six years. They also wanted to bring an extra team to New York to build a rivalry with the Red Bulls, who are based in New Jersey.

    The new venture has the support of mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said: “Soccer is one of the world’s most exciting and popular sports, and it should be played on the world’s biggest stage – in New York City.

    “New Yorkers are the greatest sports fans in the world, and they will welcome a Major League Soccer franchise with the full-throated and loyal support they are famous for.”

    Negotiations to potentially build at Flushing Meadows Corona Park began last year and are set to continue.

    Soriano said: “New York City FC will have a permanent home in the city in the great traditions of New York sports and world soccer – a home that must be a sports, commercial and civic success.

    “But in considering any stadium site, we will listen first.

    “This is what we have always done in Manchester and what we will do in New York. Only in this way, can the club truly represent the City whose name it will carry.”

    READ MORE:

    FEATURE (Part 1): A great American adventure awaits Sheikh Mansour & Man City

    FEATURE (Part 2): How Man City & Sheikh Mansour have built their American dream

     

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