Continuing its push for a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion team, Phoenix Rising Football Club announced today that Goldman Sachs has been retained as structuring agent for the financing of its proposed climate-controlled MLS stadium. 

“We are thrilled Phoenix is among the leading expansion markets for MLS,” said Brett M. Johnson, Co-Chairman and Alternate Governor of Phoenix Rising FC.  “Goldman Sachs is a leader in sports finance and most recently capitalized the LAFC and D.C. United stadiums.  With Goldman Sachs, and our unique partnership with the Solanna Group and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, we are prepared to privately fund a world-class, soccer specific stadium in Phoenix’s most desirable location.”

MLS expansion is driven by several factors, including ownership group, market size and stadium financing plan. Retaining Goldman Sachs is the latest critical step in continuing Phoenix Rising’s rapid ascent to the finalist-list for MLS consideration.

Phoenix Rising FC’s proposed MLS stadium will be the centerpiece of a larger soccer complex and mixed use development that will accommodate the Phoenix Rising FC youth soccer academy, professional and community soccer events.  Phoenix Rising FC’s plan is to privately fund the stadium on the 45-acre site already under contract and in use by the Club in partnership with the Solanna Group, a real estate development company within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Today’s announcement represents another milestone for Phoenix Rising FC’s bid for a MLS expansion team. Of the 12 finalist cities for MLS expansion, Phoenix is ranked No. 1 in Millennials, Hispanics and total population.  MLS would need to add expansion teams in two other cities on the list of finalists to equal the TV households of one expansion team located in Phoenix.