MLS
Who is Mohamed Mansour, the Egyptian billionaire who brought MLS to San Diego?
San Diego is set to become the latest MLS franchise, courtesy of Egyptian businessman and politician Mohamed Mansour.
The MLS is coming to San Diego... in part thanks to an Egyptian billionaire: Mohamed Mansour. But who is Mansour and where did his wealth come from?
Mansour is a businessman and politician, and is now one of the key backers of the new MLS franchise, launching in San Diego in 2025. The city beat out tough competition from the likes of Las Vegas, Sacramento, and others to become the 30th MLS franchise.
Mansour’s fortune
Mohamed Mansour’s wealth comes principally from the Mansour Group family conglomerate, founded by his late father Loutfy in 1952 and which now employs 60,000 people.
Mansour set up General Motors dealerships in Egypt in 1975 and later became one of GM’s largest distributors worldwide. The Mansour Group also holds exclusive distribution rights for Caterpillar equipment in Egypt and seven other African countries.
Mansour, who holds both Egyptian and British citizenship, served as Egypt’s Minister of Transport from 2006 to 2009 under the regime of Hosni Mubarak.
According to Forbes Magazine, Mansour currently has a fortune of $3.6 billion, making him the tenth richest man on the African continent.
“We have worked very hard to make this a reality. This is a memorable moment for me and my family. It’s as if a thousand birthdays have arrived on the same day,” said the Egyptian billionaire on Thursday at the San Diego presentation.
Mansour also said he is a big soccer fan, with one of his favourite clubs being the Premier League’s Manchester United.
Other investors in San Diego MLS franchise
In addition to the Mansour Group the local Sycuan tribe are also key initial investors, while other investors and founding partners include Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres; Brad Termini, Co-Founder, Zephyr Partners; Tom Vernon, Founder, Right to Dream; and Dan Dickinson, Board Member, Right to Dream.