Carlos Vela Invests in LAFC
Former soccer player Carlos Vela joins as a minority investor in the LAFC club, according to league sources.
The news also reveals that Joe Tsai, owner of the Brooklyn Nets, has sold his stake in the team.
The acquisition of Vela, along with two other limited partners, represents a 6% stake in the club. In addition, Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics, has also sold his share in LAFC.
LAFC has a wide list of limited partners, including prominent figures such as Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell, and Mia Hamm Garciaparra.
Vela, who retired last May, is remembered as one of the most beloved players in the club’s history. He was part of the MLS Cup champion team in 2022 and won the league MVP award in 2019, setting a regular season goal record.
In total, Vela scored 93 goals in 187 matches with LAFC in all competitions.
This Vela investment adds to a series of recent transactions in MLS club ownership.
Peter Mallouk recently acquired a majority stake in Sporting Kansas City, increasing his previous stake, with a valuation of $700 million.
The Miller family became the majority owner of Real Salt Lake last April, with a valuation of $580 million, in a deal that also included Utah Royals of the NWSL.
In other moves, Dr. Pete Edwards of Columbus Crew increased his stake in the club, and Austin FC also added an additional investor.
Seattle Sounders FC is in the process of raising over $200 million to develop its Longacres site, which includes its training center.
