Las Vegas Considers MLS Team to Enhance Sports Capital Status

Las Vegas aims to further establish itself as the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World by potentially adding a Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The city has been accumulating major league franchises over the past decade, and an MLS club could capitalize on the growing popularity of soccer both nationally and internationally.

Central to this initiative is Bill Foley, founder and majority owner of the Vegas Golden Knights. Foley has been active in the soccer realm through his Black Knight Football Club, acquiring a diverse portfolio that includes AFC Bournemouth in England's Premier League, Auckland FC in New Zealand's A-League, and minority stakes in FC Lorient and Hibernian FC. Most recently, his group took a majority share in Portugal's Moreirense FC.

Foley's investments reflect a broader surge in American interest in soccer, highlighted during a U.S. men's national team match on July 6, when they faced Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. The game attracted approximately 50.1 million viewers across Fox, Telemundo, and Peacock, making it the highest-viewed soccer broadcast in U.S. history.

The financial aspect also favors MLS for Las Vegas. Recent figures indicate that ownership of San Diego FC paid a record $500 million in expansion fees to join MLS, while prospective NBA expansion teams may require fees ranging from $7 billion to $10 billion. This stark contrast makes soccer a more feasible option for the city's sports landscape.

Foley officially expressed interest in an NBA expansion team in June, following a vote by the league's Board of Governors in March to consider adding teams in Las Vegas and Seattle. Competing for an NBA franchise are other groups, including one led by Walmart heir Nancy Walton Laurie and her husband, Bill Laurie. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned that a decision is expected by the end of 2026.

If Foley's bid for an NBA team does not succeed, the writer suggests he should pivot towards MLS, as his experience in soccer aligns well with Las Vegas's enthusiasm for prominent sports.