Bill Foley, Vegas Golden Knights chairman/CEO, stands in the arena during an arena-naming news conference in Henderson Tuesday, March 30, 2021, The Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Golden Knights, announced the under-construction arena in Henderson will be called the Dollar Loan Center.
Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022 | 9:39 a.m.
Bill Foley is officially the owner of a Premier League club.
The Golden Knights owner’s acquisition of English football club AFC Bournemouth was made official today. A partnership, known as Black Knight Football Club, will have Foley serve as the team’s general partner.
Award-winning actor Michael B. Jordan leads the minority ownership side. Jordan and Nullah Sarker, an adviser to publication The Players Tribune, will work with Foley with global marketing.
“I have tremendous respect for the passion and support the Bournemouth community shows for this club and believe that connection to the community is the foundation for success of any sports team,” Foley said in a statement. “We will move forward with an ‘Always Advance, Never Retreat’ approach that has defined all of my endeavors. I am committed to work with the best football and business minds available to enhance player development, facilities and the fan experience to put AFC Bournemouth in the best possible position to succeed.”
Foley and the new ownership group will begin immediately on a new state-of-the-art training center for the pro club, as well as a youth academy team. Financial commitments will also be made toward the AFC Bournemouth women’s team.
The talks of Foley spearheading a group to purchase AFC Bournemouth began in September.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
“I view it as a real good opportunity to buy a Premier League team for a very reasonable price, knowing we have improvements to make,” Foley told the Sun in October. “But I like challenges like that. That’s OK with me.”
Foley is also investing in a reclamation project. The “Cherries” are 14th in the Premier League standings and just three points ahead of the relegation zone. The three teams who finish at the bottom of the Premier League are relegated to the English Football League, the tier below the Premier League.
Teams relegated will have to play for the chance to get back into the Premier League.
AFC Bournemouth spent the 2021 season in the EFL and clinched promotion on the final day of the season.
Foley takes over the club from Maxim Demin, who owned it for 11 years.
“In Bill Foley, we are now led by a highly successful and committed individual with an impressive track record in business and sport,” Neill Blake, AFC Bournemouth CEO, said n a statement. “We are delighted to welcome him, his family and his partners to the club. We are in no doubt that AFC Bournemouth is in very safe hands as we look to cement our position in the top division in the coming seasons.”
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
