The A-League will feature two teams in New Zealand for the 2024-25 time immediately after a licence for a workforce in Auckland. was awarded to billionaire Bill Foley, who owns English Premier League club Bournemouth and reigning NHL champs the Vegas Golden Knights,
Foley is the founder and standard spouse of Black Knight Soccer Club, which owns AFC Bournemouth, has a major expense in FC Lorient of France’s Ligue 1 and this 12 months he hoisted the Stanley Cup soon after the Golden Knights’ NHL triumph.
The still-to-be-named team will enter a men’s side in the A-League following period, with a women’s staff to comply with the season following.
Foley pledged to provide a championship to Auckland, like he did to Las Vegas, with the Golden Knights the fastest NHL growth team to at any time gain the title after just 6 period.
‘It’s an honour to provide a top football club to Auckland. Building a championship staff from growth has been my most exhilarating qualified accomplishment, and I purpose to do the similar for the enthusiasts of New Zealand and especially the neighborhood on the North Island,’ he mentioned.
Bill Foley will individual a single of the new teams getting into the A-League
The businessman now owns Premier League club AFC Bournemouth
‘It’s a distinctive place and an area that I know will embrace this workforce.’
The Auckland team will join the Wellington Phoenix in an expanded 13-group levels of competition that Football Australia manager James Johnson explained was component of the league’s ‘evolution’.
‘We are pleased to welcome Bill Foley’s involvement with the Auckland growth club. His expenditure is an crucial step in the evolution of the A-Leagues, combining our regional pursuits with an worldwide standpoint,’ he stated.
‘Bill’s expertise in sports activities and his aim on group engagement are worthwhile as we look ahead to the club’s debut in the A-Leagues, offering a contemporary and partaking approach for our followers and players.’
Auckland was the foundation for an A-League club, ironically known as the Knights, amongst 2005 and 2007 but gained just six of their 42 matches when taking part in in entrance of dismal house crowds.
Foley is an American who graduated from the West Stage Naval Academy in advance of embarking on a profitable small business profession.
He started the NHL Golden Knights and purchased AFC Bournemouth in 2022.