LOS ANGELES — Major League Soccer’s new L.A. franchise doesn’t have an official name, colors, logo or stadium just yet.
What the club has are deep-pocketed owners with boundless ambition and plans to build a soccer-specific stadium for a passionate fan base before it joins the league in 2017.
The ownership group behind the tentatively named Los Angeles Football Club held its first public event Thursday at a Hollywood studio, revealing a diverse lineup of investors, celebrities and sports professionals.
Vietnamese-American business mogul Henry Nguyen is the managing partner, while Malaysian billionaire Vincent Tan is a key director. Film producer Peter Guber has a prominent role, and ESPN basketball analyst Tom Penn will be the club’s president.
The ownership group also includes former L.A. Lakers star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, U.S. women’s soccer legend Mia Hamm Garciapparra, former Major League Baseball star Nomar Garciaparra and self-help guru Tony Robbins.
LAFC has no ties to Chivas USA, which was folded by MLS this week.
Chivas USA folds, setting stage for new L.A. soccer team >>
Photo by Twitter/@MagicJohnson
