San Diego close in on MLS expansion franchise: what record fee would they pay?
Reports claim that a formal bid will be made to MLS for San Diego to be added as the 30th league franchise in mid-May.
San Diego has moved to the front of the queue to become MLS’ latest expansion franchise, according to a report in The San Diego Union Tribune, which claims that a formal bid to the league’s board could be put forward as early as mid-May by an investment group headed by Egyptian billionaire, Mohamed Ansour and the Sycuan tribe.
When would San Diego begin playing in MLS?
Sources close to the deal have indicated that the new team would begin playing in MLS in 2025, and would use the 35,000-capacity Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley as their home stadium.
- San Diego is poised to be awarded an MLS expansion slot in the coming weeks.
— Bob Williams (@WilliamsBob75) May 7, 2023
- The club will play at Snapdragon Stadium in 2025
- Major facility upgrades planned, including canopies
- $500m expansion fee
- Unclear what will happen to San Diego Loyal.https://t.co/0cBUjrY77H
Snapdragon deal “closer than ever”
John David Wicker, San Diego State’s Athletic Director, admitted the two parties are “closer than ever” to a lease agreement for the stadium, while other sources have claimed that tentative terms have been agreed with MLS for an expansion fee in the range of $500 million, considerably higher than the record $325 million figure reportedly paid by Charlotte FC.
“We’ve been having very good discussions,” Wicker said, adding that a number of international friendly games will be played at Snapdragon Stadium over the next few months. “Based on the soccer we’re having this summer, it shows that this venue is truly built for great soccer, and getting MLS is the last real piece of the puzzle”.
Jimmy Buffett @SnapdragonStdm in front of a full house under a full moon! A great concert venue gets added to the list of great football stadium, great soccer stadium and great monster truck stadium. What’s next!?!?! pic.twitter.com/d1dHdS7nca
— John David Wicker (@jdwicker) May 7, 2023
San Diego to host Manchester United and Mexico
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San Diego played host to a friendly match between Liga MX duo Club América and Tijuana at the end of March and is gearing up for a number of other games this season, including Premier League giants Manchester United against Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham, which will also take place at Snapdragon Stadium.
On top of that, the venue will also see Mexico take on Cameroon on 10 June in a warm-up match ahead of the Concacaf Nations League semi-finals against the USMNT.