VGK Owner Bill Foley Meets Bournemouth Soccer Fans In Premier League Saturday During His Latest Property Acquisition
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley met new sports fans and took photos with them Saturday when he attended an A.F.C. Bournemouth soccer game in the English Premier League.
The fans appeared happy that Foley acquired the soccer team that plays in the smallest stadium in the Premier League at about 11,500 people.
Bournemouth fan Kirk Tovey told LVSportsBiz.com in an email that fans are split on the idea of expanding the team’s current stadium.
He noted, “We had some plans to expand the South Stand and fill in corners but apparently the rent would have substantially increased so the club shelved it.”
As usual, the costs of building a new stadium cropped up as an issue.
“To build a brand new stadium would have cost massively pre Foley and as a fanbase there was always concern if we could fill it week in week out year on year. Yes we would likely fill it in the premier League most weeks but if we were to fall down the leagues and be relegated our history tells the club that our average fan base is 8k,” Tovey wrote.
“If we were to build a stadium I think 18-20k stadium would be ample, we would need anymore than that as you could end up with a soulless bowl.”
Tovey, a member of one of the main Bournemouth fan groups, sent this photo of Foley at Saturday’s game.
LVSportsBiz.com reached out to Jeff Mostyn, chairman of AFC Bournemouth, to ask him questions about Foley owning the team. If we hear back, we shall share Mostyn’s responses.
Bournemouth has a reputation for being a scrappy, underdog team that has had a variety of owners through the years. The team has dealt with financial and even near-bankruptcy issues over time, but has worked hard to move from the bottom of the forth tier to the Premier League. Fans are excited but also anxious over a new owner taking the helm.
Foley already cross-promotes his various sports teams and wineries. For example, Foley’s food and wine society has two concession stands on the T-Mobile Arena main concourse during Vegas Golden Knights home hockey games.
If Bournemouth continues to win soccer games, I’m sure happy Cherries fans will be happy to drink up Foley’s wines.
