In his effort to recruit new investors for D.C. United, club managing general partner and CEO Jason Levien is reportedly courting owners of Swansea City.
Recent reports have indicated that United could be heading toward a major change in its ownership. Levien and billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong are said to be working on a purchase of the ownership stake held by Erick Thohir, and could bring a new slate of club shareholders aboard.
Some of those investors could include current owners of the Premier League’s Swansea City. Levien, who has an ownership stake in Swansea City, has reportedly been working to bring investors from that club aboard for his United effort. Some details remain unresolved, but that could lead to some big names being brought into the fold for United. More from The Washington Post:
The group seems likely to include American businessman Steve Kaplan, Levien’s primary partner and money man at Swansea City. He has also been a co-owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies since 2012.
The number of other Swansea figures to invest in United, one person familiar with the situation said, hinges on whether Los Angeles billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong reaches a deal with Levien. Without Soon-Shiong, three or four from the Swansea group would probably invest in United; otherwise, it’s likely going to be two or three.
The Swansea consortium includes more than two dozen individuals, ranging from Los Angeles Rams co-owner Chip Rosenbloom (6.3 percent) to actress Mindy Kaling (1 percent) and former U.S. national team star Landon Donovan (0.4 percent).
On April 6, the Federal Trade Commission posted a proposed deal involving Soon-Shiong and United’s majority shareholder, Erick Thohir. No details were included, other than that the transaction would involve Levien’s Black Eagle Investment Group. Such FTC notices are common in large-scale deals, even if they do not come to fruition.
Reports of the potential ownership shakeup come ahead of some anticipated changes for United. One of those is the opening of a new stadium, as the club is preparing to move into the brand-new Audi Field in Washington’s Buzzard Point neighborhood this summer. United has also been working on a proposed soccer complex in Loudoun County, VA that would include a stadium for a new United USL club.
Image courtesy D.C. United.
RELATED STORIES: D.C. United Reportedly Heading for Ownership Shakeup