Man City & Yankees Launch MLS Team
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber has announced a partnership between Manchester City FC and the New York Yankees, which will see the outgoing Premier League Champions and the legendary baseball team form a new MLS franchise.
After acquiring the League’s 20th expansion club, the new team will be known as the New York City Football Club, and is expected to begin play in 2015.
NYCFC will enter the MLS in 2015 after a deal thought to be worth around $100m (£66m) was struck. The new team is set to arrange an interim venue in order to begin its life in the league, with a view to securing a permanent home in the city.
Garber said in a statement released by the league: ‘We proudly welcome two of the most prestigious professional global sports organizations to Major League Soccer. This is a transformational development that will elevate the league to new heights in this country. The New York area is home to more than 19 million people, and we look forward to an intense crosstown rivalry between New York City Football Club and the New York Red Bulls that will captivate this great city.’
Garber also explains the new partnership at Sport Industry TV.
Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City, commented: ‘New York is a legendary sports town, as well as a thriving global city with a rapidly expanding soccer fan-base.’
‘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 organization and a winning team that will carry the New York City Football Club name with pride.’
Manchester City will be the majority owner, according to the league’s announcement, while the Yankees will play an active role in the ownership group.
The Yankees and Manchester City already have an existing commercial relationship through Legends Hospitality, an international entertainment, hospitality and marketing organisation, with the Premier League club set to play a friendly against Chelsea at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.
Hal Steinbrenner, managing general partner of the New York Yankees, added: ‘We are pleased to be associated with this major move by MLS to increase its presence in the New York market and to enhance the opportunity for New York soccer fans to enjoy high-level play in their own city.’
‘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.’
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg concluded in a statement: ‘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.’
