Mayor Steinberg, Republic FC owner strike hopeful tone about saving Sacramento’s MLS bid
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg couldn’t help it.
At a news conference Wednesday meant to focus on the unveiling of Heart Health Park, the new name for the Cal Expo field where Sacramento Republic FC plays games, Steinberg wanted to say something about Major League Soccer. The team suffered a setback in February when lead investor Ron Burkle backed out of an ownership deal. Republic FC and Steinberg have scrambled to find a new “whale,” a billionaire to support the team’s move to the largest division in American and Canadian soccer. Steinberg wanted to send a signal that the hunt is going well.
“This is a great day and a great announcement and a big announcement, and it stands on its own. I don’t want to do anything to detract from it,” Steinberg said.
“However,” he continued. “As I look at the year ahead, I hope and I am hopeful that today will be the second-biggest soccer announcement we make in this city.”
The team’s ownership has been the source of speculation for the past day, as TV host Greta Van Susteren caused a stir Tuesday when she named a group of potential minority owners for Republic FC on Twitter. The group included 49ers player Arik Armstead, an Elk Grove native, Sacramento UFC fighter Urijah Faber (who joined the team’s investment group several years ago), and celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who has deep Central Valley roots. Van Susteren said the group also includes her colleague Adam Housley, a Napa native, former Sacramento-area TV reporter and co-owner of Lodi’s Century Oak Winery.
Current Republic FC owner Kevin Nagle brushed off a question about whether the team would play in MLS in 2023, but he also hinted that good news is on the way.
“You heard the mayor say something, that he hopes there’s going to be maybe the most important statement made later on this year, and I think both of us believe there’s no question that’s going to happen,” Nagle said.
Nagle otherwise mostly avoided talk about his USL Championship club moving up to MLS.
With new investors come negotiations between the city and team; Steinberg described himself as a co-leader of the effort to find a new majority investor.
The Sacramento City Council agreed in 2019 to reimburse Burkle $27 million after Burkle built roads, sewers and other infrastructure in the railyard near his planned stadium site. It was the key part of an overall $33 million incentive package the city offered.
With new investors, new deals must be struck.
“There are different ways the public sector can be supportive, and we already are, in terms of infrastructure,” Steinberg said. “And then there’s development opportunities, which we’re already part of. We can’t write a check. I’ve been very clear about that, but there are many other appropriate and creative ways that we can help add value and that’s exactly what we are working on. We want this for the community. Not at any price because you can’t do that and we know what our line is. We want this. We deserve it and I believe we’re gonna get it.”
Steinberg cited the development of The Railyards, long dormant next to the city’s urban core, as a key driver of his desire to get a deal done.
“The city, yes, has a direct financial stake,” he said. “But more than that, this is the opportunity to acquire an incredible new asset that the people want. … This place is crazy for soccer. They’re crazy for sports. Look at the Kings. They’ve had their hard times but people are still passionate about the Kings.
“We are one step away, we’re talking to numerous investors. The conversations I would describe as very positive.”
This story was originally published May 5, 2021 at 12:05 PM.