The billionaire owner of the A-League’s newest team has vowed to replicate his Las Vegas NHL success with Auckland FC, which was unveiled as the expansion club’s name along with a bold playing strip.
Bill Foley helped build the Vegas Golden Knights into Stanley Cup champions in the NHL within five years of their first game and has backed his capacity to bring success to Auckland amid ongoing speculation about the competition’s financial viability.
There were mass redundancies at the A-League earlier this year, with their media arm taking the most hits, but officials bowed to push on with not only the Auckland expansion but a possible team in Canberra as well.
At the launch of the club’s name and colours, with the home kit to be electric blue and black, Foley said he wanted to put Auckland on the “world stage”.
“What I love about football is that it has an incredible power to inspire anyone, no matter their age or background,” he said.
“We have a track record of building successful professional sports teams and just like we did in Las Vegas, I saw a unique opportunity to bring a new A-League football club with big ambitions to Auckland and take it to the world stage.”
The new club will be coached by A-League title winner Steve Corica, who has vowed his team, which as yet has no players and will enter the competition next season, will be entertaining.
“I’m looking forward to helping build the club from the ground up, foster a strong attacking team known for their entertaining style of football, and attract some of the best talent to grow with the club,” he said.
“We’ll have some exciting player announcements to make from June 2024.”
The name Auckland FC was chosen from a shortlist including the Auckland Volcanoes and Black Knights FC and the club will play home games at Mount Smart Stadium, also used by the Warriors in the NRL.
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