The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have confirmed that Bill Foley, owner of Premier League side AFC Bournemouth, has been identified as the “preferred bidder” for the A-Leagues expansion licence into the Auckland market.
The Auckland Club’s first season of competition will be in season 2024-25 across both the A-League Men and A-League Women.
Foley is a US-based owner of multiple sporting teams as a general partner of global multi club football operator Black Knight Football Club, which owns 100% of AFC Bournemouth and a significant minority ownership interest in French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient. Foley also owns NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, who won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Foley has significant business connections to New Zealand and owns multiple business across the country.
These businesses include Foley Wines Ltd, a public company listed on the NZ stock exchange consisting of five wineries in Martinborough, Marlborough and Central Otago, as well as a significant restaurant group with venues in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown.
Nick Garcia, Commissioner of the A-Leagues, stated via media release:
“The awarding of Preferred Bidder Status is an important step towards new professional women’s and men’s teams in Auckland,” he said.
“Bill Foley and Black Knight Football Club are committed sports investors and bring direct elite football experience via their investment in AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League and other European clubs. Importantly, Bill is passionate about Auckland and has a long-term relationship with New Zealand through his business interests.
“Auckland has been the largest city in Australia and New Zealand without a professional football team, despite football being the most popular team participation sport nationally in New Zealand. We look forward to building on the success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, providing football fans in Auckland with their new home team.”
Licence approval is subject to successful completion of the necessary approval processes by the Australian Professional Leagues and regulatory processes by Football Australia. The club will also require endorsement from the Asian Football Confederation, the Oceania Football Confederation and New Zealand Football.
Bill Foley added: “My family and I have a genuine appreciation and love for New Zealand. We will look to strengthen this connection even further by acquiring an A-Leagues expansion licence in Auckland, which will allow us to establish both a men’s and women’s club in the city.
“Black Knight Football Club operates with a commitment to excellence on and off the pitch. Our goal will be to build a winning organisation while simultaneously serving the community and growing the sport – and passion for the sport – at all levels. We are extremely excited to reach this stage in the process and look forward to the next steps.”
