Source: Carlos Vela stepping into LAFC ownership void

Carlos Vela is among three new investors to purchase a minority stake in LAFC, a league source confirmed to ESPN, with Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai among those to sell his stake in the club.

Sportico was the first to report the news of Vela’s purchase and Tsai’s sale. The report added that Vela, along with two other limited partners acquired a 6% stake in the club, and that Fantatics CEO Mike Mahan also sold his stake in LAFC.

LAFC has long had an extensive list of limited partners, a group that includes LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson, actor Will Ferrell and former United States star Mia Hamm Garciaparra, along with her husband, former MLB player Nomar Garciaparra.

Vela, 37, retired last May as one of the most beloved players in the club’s brief history. In addition to being part of the 2022 side that won MLS Cup, Vela won the league’s MVP award in 2019 on his way to scoring 34 regular season goals, which at the time was an MLS record. Overall Vela scored 93 goals in 187 matches for LAFC in all competitions.

Vela’s acquisition of LAFC shares highlights a spate of transactions involving the ownership of MLS clubs. Peter Mallouk recently acquired a controlling interest in Sporting Kansas City — increasing his previously minority stake — at a valuation of $700 million according to Forbes. The Miller Family became majority owners of Real Salt Lake last April at a valuation of $580 million in a deal that also included the NWSL’s Utah Royals.

In other ownership moves, the Columbus Crew’s Dr. Pete Edwards recently increased his stake in the club, while Austin FC also brought on additional investor. Seattle Sounders FC is in the process of raising over $200 million to develop their Longacres site that includes their training facility.