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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
Bill Foley came into the locker room at a soccer match in England and congratulated the players of his latest acquisition — the AFC Bournemouth soccer team of the Premier League.
Foley watched a Bournemouth game against Leicester City Saturday, according to several news reports, and he’s added the soccer club to his business portfolio that includes the NHL Vegas Golden Knights, Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League, Indoor Football League’s Vegas Knight Hawks besides his wineries, restaurants and hotels. Nicknamed, “The Cherries,” Bournemouth defeated Leicester, 2-1.
Foley bought the Premier League Team from Maxim Demin for $133 million, according to published reports.
Foley and a group here in Las Vegas spent $500 million for an expansion fee to the National Hockey League for his Vegas Golden Knights to become the league’s 31st franchise in 2017.
Bournemouth has returned to the Premier League and plays in the circuit’s smallest stadium at more than 11,000. A radio station in England reported that Foley plans to either build a new soccer venue or renovate the current stadium. The average Premier League stadium holds 35,000 fans.
Here’s a picture of the Bournemouth stadium, courtesy of BBC business journalist Lewis Coombes:
Foley, a 1967 West Point graduate, is rather smitten with the “knight” imagery and logo. So don’t be surprised if a knight is somehow blended into Bournemouth games.
Foley, a 77-year-old Texas native, has built several ice hockey facilities in metro Las Vegas, including the VGK two-rink headquarters and training center in suburban Summerlin and a similar community ice center in Henderson.
Foley also built a 6,000-seat, $84 million arena for his minor league Silver Knights team in Henderson. He split the construction cost 50/50 with the city of Henderson.
It’s become common for owners of major league sports teams in the U.S. to purchase Premier League teams like Tampa Bay Bucs owner the Glazer family buying Manchester United in 2005.