US billionaire William Foley named preferred bidder for new A-Leagues club in Auckland

An American billionaire who owns an EPL team is the preferred bidder for a new Auckland based A-Leagues club, but he wasn’t the only one in the running.

Players at the A-Leagues launch. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

A US billionaire who owns English Premier league side AFC Bournemouth is the frontrunner to take on the new New Zealand based A-Leagues’ club – beating a consortium which had the backing of powerhouse football club AC Milan to the finish line.

William Foley, the general partner of multi-club footballer operator Black Knight Football Club has been named by the Australian Professional Leagues as the preferred bidder for the new club set to be based in Auckland.

The club is expected to have a men’s and women’s team.

Plans for adding new teams in Auckland and Canberra were announced in March 2022. Both new sides are expected to join the competition for the 2024/25 season – giving them just 12 months to be ready.

Foley just last year took ownership of EPL side Bournemouth and also has a share in FC Lorient in the French Ligue 1.

He is no stranger to doing business in New Zealand – owning several Kiwi based businesses including Foley Wines and the SOUL bar in Auckland.

William Foley, owner of AFC Bournemouth, is set to venture into the A-Leagues. Picture: Getty Images

A-Leagues’ commissioner Nick Garcia said naming the preferred bid was a big step forward in the expansion process.

The APL have confirmed William P. Foley II as the preferred bidder for the A-Leagues expansion licence in Auckland.

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“Bill Foley and Black Knight Football Club are committed sports investors and bring direct elite football experience via their investment in AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League and other European clubs. Importantly, Bill is passionate about Auckland and has a long-term relationship with New Zealand through his business interests,” Garcia said.

“Auckland has been the largest city in Australia and New Zealand without a professional football team, despite football being the most popular team participation sport nationally in New Zealand. We look forward to building on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, providing football fans in Auckland with their new home team.”

Foley said his interest was sparked by his love for New Zealand.

“We will look to strengthen this connection even further by acquiring an A-Leagues’ expansion licence in Auckland, which will allow us to establish both a men’s and women’s club in the city,” he said.

“Black Knight Football Club operates with a commitment to excellence on and off the pitch. Our goal will be to build a winning organisation while simultaneously serving the community and growing the sport – and passion for the sport – at all levels. We are extremely excited to reach this stage in the process and look forward to the next steps.”

Nick Garcia, Commissioner of the A-Leagues. Picture: Getty Images

Foley’s bid proved more favourable than one put forward by a consortium led by Auckland based, American entrepreneur and NZ Breakers minority owner Marc Mitchell. Also involved in the group was 2010 All Whites World Cup captain Ryan Nelsen and Football Ferns captain Ali Riley.

The consortium’s spokesman said they had even linked up with European football powerhouse AC Milan who would take a minority stake and provide a talent pipeline.

“We had generated a lot support and excitement in the Auckland football community,” he said.

“The consortium was built on the Maori concept of ‘flaxroots’, with international investors and global sports management to provide expertise and a strong capital base.”

The spokesman said the group had done a great deal of analysis to ensure their venture didn’t fail like the two previous top-flight Auckland based teams - the Kingz and the Knights, and have a women’s team as a key drawcard.

“Our big focus was on being heavily engaged in the community and having a talent pipeline that covered all the local clubs in Auckland, Upper North Island and the Pacific Islands,” he said.

It is understood the buy-in fee for the A-Leagues’ licence is $25 million.

A spokeswoman for A-Leagues’ said there continued to be strong interest in the Canberra licence and an update would be provided in coming months.

The 2023/24 season kicks off this weekend with the women’s competition.

Originally published as US billionaire William Foley named preferred bidder for new A-Leagues club in Auckland