Exclusive interview: Republic FC owner Ron Burkle on his MLS expansion team
Republic FC owner Ron Burkle sat down for a 16-minute interview with The Sacramento Bee on Monday morning as the official MLS expansion announcement event was about to get underway.
In the interview, which also included MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Republic investor Matt Alvarez, Burkle talks about how he first became interested in buying a soccer team in Sacramento and his plans for the future of the franchise.
Burkle, a Beverly Hills billionaire who also co-owns the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League, rarely gives interviews.
It was the first time he has spoken publicly about his decision to become an MLS owner in Sacramento. Burkle previously briefly led a group that was planning to buy the Sacramento Kings basketball team in 2013 and keep it in Sacramento. He said came to learn more about and appreciate Sacramento during that venture.
This story was originally published October 25, 2019 at 5:00 AM.