UFC's Urijah Faber to become part owner of potential MLS team
This is kicking that Urijah Faber isn't necessarily used to.
The UFC bantamweight star has bought a stake in a minor-league soccer franchise trying to make the jump to Major League Soccer, it was announced this week (h/t SI.com). Faber has joined the ownership group of the Sacramento Republic FC and his investment is contingent on it becoming an MLS expansion team.
Faber, 35, is the founder of Team Alpha Male in Sacramento and a fixture in the city. No details were given about his financial stake in the team. The lead investor is Kevin Nagle and altogether 13 people have agreed to join the ownership group.
“I’m thrilled to partner with this esteemed group of local business people,” Nagle said. “Their collective investment in Sacramento Republic FC further bolsters the profile and financial strength of our ownership group, getting us another step closer toward our goal of a Major League Soccer franchise.”
Sacramento Republic FC was founded in 2012 and debuted in USL Pro this season, winning the league championship last month. MLS is currently planning to add three expansion franchises with New York City FC and Orlando City SC joining in 2015 and an Atlanta club starting in 2017. A Miami team has also been granted approval, pending the successful financing of a new stadium.
Faber (31-7) is one of the most popular lighter weight fighters in the history of the UFC. The former WEC featherweight champion has won five of his last six bouts and is coming off a third-round submission win over Alex Caceres at UFC 175 in July. Faber was supposed to fight Masanori Kanehara last month in Japan, but pulled out due to injury. He is ranked No. 3 among UFC bantamweight contenders.
