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LAFC
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is reportedly in negotiations to acquire Grasshopper Club Zurich, adding to a wave of American ownership stakes in European professional soccer teams and leagues.
LAFC, co-owned by entrepreneur Peter Guber and actor Will Ferrell, would obtain the Swiss Super League club from its current Chinese ownership group led by Jenny Wang. Wang first placed Grasshopper Club Zurich up for sale back in April.
If finalized, the deal would make LAFC the latest Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to invest in soccer across the Atlantic. The trend comes as interest and investment in European soccer rapidly rises among American owners, athletes and celebrities.
Grasshopper Club Zurich was founded in 1886 and plays in Switzerland's top-tier league. While not one of the mega-rich Premier League clubs, it still represents an established European team with history and name recognition.
LAFC remains one of MLS's top clubs both on and off the field. The defending MLS Cup champion finished third in the Western Conference this past season and ranks ninth in attendance, drawing over 20,000 fans per match.
Its ownership now looks to expand the club's reach worldwide by tapping into the surging popularity of European soccer among American fans.
"LAFC is thriving, and this could strengthen their brand globally while giving them footholds in new markets," said sports marketing expert Patrick Rishe.
Growing American Investment The potential LAFC deal caps a busy year for U.S. owners buying into elite European leagues. Florida-based 777 Partners is currently attempting to purchase Premier League's Everton - which would give Americans at least partial ownership of half of the lucrative league's clubs.
Other recent examples include the Milwaukee Bucks' ownership acquiring Italian champion AC Milan, and Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross buying a minority stake in league rival Bournemouth.
Billionaires Joe Mansueto and Bill Foley acquired clubs in Belgium and France, respectively, while TV executive Henry Mauriss launched a bid for storied English club Manchester United.
And in one of the most surprising purchases, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought fifth-division Welsh team Wrexham A.F.C., chronicled in the FX docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham."
Motivations Differ Experts cite various factors driving Americans' Euro soccer investments - from higher profile to passion projects.
"For MLS owners, these deals represent diversification and growth beyond North America," said sports finance analyst Darren Howard. "And for entertainers or entrepreneurs, it's often driven by fandom and emotion."
LAFC did not disclose terms of the potential agreement, but European soccer clubs have frequently sold for hundreds of millions or more. And for MLS owners, partnering with an established European brand can pay dividends.
But analysts caution the deals come with challenges too, including navigating new leagues and fans.
"Europe's soccer traditions and expectations are very different," Howard said. "American owners can face backlash if fans feel they don't understand those nuances."
As interest in international soccer booms, deals like LAFC's expected purchase show American dollars increasingly flowing into European leagues. The investments reflect soccer's global reach and appeal across markets.
