MINNEAPOLIS – The Wilf family announced on Wednesday that it is purchasing Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride, taking over the majority stake from Flavio Augusto da Silva.
That move comes after a failed attempt to take over Minnesota United when the club made the move to Major League Soccer in 2015, hoping to get the MLS rights instead of Bill McGuire. The group already has investment in MLS with a minority stake in fellow Eastern Conference side Nashville SC.
This isn’t final yet, with the negotiation period expected to take up to 60-days as the two groups come to a discussion on terms. It is expected that the majority stake in the club will be up to $500 million and includes the academy sides and Exploria Stadium.
The Wilfs talked a big game in Wednesday’s statement focusing on the action on the pitch rather than discussions about revenue streams.
“Among our goals are to build championship soccer clubs for the passionate and loyal soccer fans of the region, (and) provide a best-in-class fan experience.”
Da Silva has been opening up to the Orlando Sentinel about the sale with Julia Pope continuing her phenomenal work covering the club and he expressed his confidence that the new owners were the right group to take the club forward.
“With their passion for the sport and Orlando’s two teams that are in position to compete for trophies, I am confident that the Wilf family will continue to push Orlando City SC to new heights.”
Both sides have probably underperformed in their history since the jump to the top division, so this new sale may spark life into the club, and bring back the success they had in USL.
Photo: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dave Carter (RELEASED) – Public Domain
Florida Soccer Report 