If you’ve ever watched an MLS match and wondered, “Who actually owns these teams?” — you’re not alone. Ownership in Major League Soccer (MLS) is quite different from traditional models used in Europe, South America, or even other American sports leagues.
MLS has a unique structure, often surprising even seasoned sports fans. In this post, we’ll dive into who owns MLS teams, how ownership works, and why this setup could be the secret sauce to the league’s growth and stability.
MLS: A Single-Entity League
Let’s start with the basics.
Major League Soccer was founded in 1993 and began play in 1996 — right after the USA hosted the FIFA World Cup. At its inception, soccer in the U.S. was still finding its footing. To prevent the financial collapse that plagued previous attempts (like the NASL in the ’70s), MLS adopted a single-entity structure.
What does that mean?
It means that MLS owns all of the teams, and player contracts are signed with the league itself, not the individual clubs. The teams are operated by investor-operators who are granted the right to manage the day-to-day operations of a franchise.
So while it might seem like each team has a different owner, technically, everyone owns a piece of the league — not just a club.
Investor-Operators: The Modern MLS Owners
Each MLS team is controlled by an investor-operator (or a group), which functions similarly to an owner in more traditional leagues. These investor-operators pay hefty expansion fees and are responsible for club operations — from signing players, building stadiums, to running marketing campaigns.
Here are some notable MLS investor-operators:
⚽ LA Galaxy – Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG)
AEG has long been a key player in MLS. It was one of the original investors who helped keep the league alive during its toughest years. Today, AEG remains the operator of LA Galaxy, one of MLS’s most successful and iconic teams.
⚽ Inter Miami – David Beckham, Jorge Mas, Jose Mas
Inter Miami’s ownership group is perhaps the most star-studded. Beckham famously had an option to buy an MLS franchise for $25 million as part of his contract with LA Galaxy. He exercised that option, and alongside businessman Jorge Mas and his brother Jose Mas, helped launch Inter Miami in 2020.
⚽ Atlanta United – Arthur Blank
The co-founder of Home Depot and owner of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank brought his business savvy and sports experience to MLS. Atlanta United has been a massive success, drawing huge crowds and winning MLS Cup in just its second season.
⚽ LAFC – Celebrity-Packed Group (including Will Ferrell and Magic Johnson)
Los Angeles FC is owned by a diverse and flashy group of investors including actor Will Ferrell, NBA legend Magic Johnson, and tech entrepreneur Larry Berg. This team has quickly become a powerhouse on and off the pitch.
⚽ Seattle Sounders – Adrian Hanauer and 12+ Local Investors
Seattle is unique because it includes a fan ownership model. Over 30,000 fans have voting rights through the Sounders FC Alliance. Majority control still lies with Adrian Hanauer and his investor group, but the community engagement is deep and meaningful.
From Billionaires to Celebrities: A Diverse Ownership Pool
MLS ownership is a fascinating blend of:
Traditional sports moguls – like Stan Kroenke (Colorado Rapids) who also owns Arsenal, the LA Rams, and the Denver Nuggets.
Global investors – including foreign ownership like City Football Group (which owns NYCFC and Manchester City).
Celebrities and athletes – including Matthew McConaughey (Austin FC), James Harden (Houston Dynamo), and Patrick Mahomes (Sporting Kansas City).
This melting pot of entertainment, tech, and sports business figures helps MLS grow its appeal beyond the traditional soccer audience.
Expansion Fees and Franchise Value
Owning an MLS team isn’t cheap. The expansion fee for new teams has skyrocketed in the past decade:
In 2007, Toronto FC joined for just $10 million.
In 2019, St. Louis City SC paid $200 million.
By 2023, San Diego FC reportedly paid $500 million to join MLS.
These fees are a testament to MLS’s rising value, popularity, and marketability. And yes — investor-operators are seeing returns. Forbes estimates some MLS teams are now worth over $1 billion.
The League’s Control: Checks and Balances
While investor-operators control most aspects of their clubs, the league retains a lot of power, especially when it comes to:
Player contracts and transfers
Sponsorship deals and broadcast rights
Financial regulations (like the salary cap, DP rule, etc.)
This shared structure has kept MLS financially stable. Unlike in Europe where reckless spending can bankrupt clubs, MLS operates with guardrails in place.
Fan Ownership: A Future Path?
So far, MLS hasn’t fully embraced fan-owned models like Germany’s 50+1 rule or Spain’s socios system (used by Barcelona and Real Madrid). But there are hints of grassroots involvement — especially in clubs like Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, where fan culture plays a central role.
Could future expansion teams involve fan shareholders? It’s possible. With growing interest and decentralized finance innovations, fan ownership could become a compelling way to deepen club loyalty and engagement.
Final Thoughts: A League Built to Last
MLS ownership might look different from European models, but that’s part of its strength. The single-entity structure allowed it to survive when other leagues failed. Today, it’s thriving, thanks to visionary investor-operators, international partnerships, and a booming soccer culture in North America.
So, who owns MLS teams? Technically, the league owns them all. But practically, a mix of entrepreneurs, billionaires, athletes, and celebrities are guiding these clubs into the future — with fans riding shotgun on the journey.
As MLS continues to expand and evolve, its unique ownership model might just be the blueprint for sustainable soccer in the modern age.
