In the last decade, Major League Soccer has expanded at a dramatic pace. Some of the teams that have emerged on the scene have been entirely new to the American soccer world — Atlanta United and David Beckham’s Inter Miami CF being two prominent examples. Others, like the Portland Timbers and Minnesota United, built on fanbases that existed when those teams played in lower divisions, creating an organic sense of growth.
Sacramento Republic FC was poised to be the next such success story. The team had regularly drawn impressive crowds for a second-division team, and a group of investors lay the groundwork for an expansion slot in MLS. Then, earlier this year, the lead investor on the project announced he would no longer be going through with the deal. All of which left observers confused as to what the next steps might be for the team, the city and the league.
Cue Guy Fieri’s entrance music. Indomitable City Soccer reports that a new ownership group is taking shape — and one of the participants is Fieri, fresh off his efforts to help restaurant workers during the pandemic.
Fieri isn’t the only prominent name rumored to be associated with the bid, however. Other big names mentioned in the article include MMA fighter Urijah Faber, rapper E-40 and Arik Armstead of the San Francisco 49ers. The story is continuing to develop, but should this come to fruition, one can only imagine what the stadium food in Sacramento is going to be like.
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.