May 11 – MLS club Orlando City SC is close to changing hands with reports that majority owner Flávio Augusto da Silva is completing a deal with the Wilf family, owners of the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.
Da Silva paid $70 million for the Orlando MLS expansion franchise in 2015 and is reckoned to be selling the club – which includes National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) franchise the Orlando Pride and the Exploria Stadium – for $450 million.
Orlando City have been owned by Brazilian entrepreneur Flávio Augusto da Silva since 2013, and played in the second-tier United Soccer League (USL) before being franchised into the MLS.
The Wilf family already have a position in the MLS with a minority ownership position in Nashville SC. They have previously held MLS ambition having bid for an MLS franchise in Minneapolis that was eventually awarded to Minnesota United.
Orlando’s Exploria Stadium has been named as one of the host venues for the group stages of the Gold Cup starting June 10.
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