The A-League has revealed American businessman William P. Foley II, better known as Bill Foley, is the "preferred bidder" for an expansion club based in Auckland.
A-League officials named Foley in a statement this afternoon, saying they expect an Auckland club to feature in both the men's and women's competitions in the 2024-25 season.
"The awarding of Preferred Bidder Status is an important step towards new professional women’s and men’s teams in Auckland," A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia 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."
Rumours around who was behind the well-known expansion have been circling for months, including a bid from former All Black Ali Williams as part of a local consortium.
However A-League officials have gone with Foley who already has ownership experience via multiple sports teams and has strong business connections to New Zealand.
Foley - who founded title insurance company Fidelity National Financial in 1984 - is the general partner of Black Knight Football Club, which fully owns AFC Bournemouth of the English Premier League and a significant minority ownership interest in FC Lorient of France’s Ligue 1.
The 78-year-old is also the owner of other sports and entertainment assets including the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, which was an expansion team in 2017 and won the Stanley Cup in 2023.
Alongside his sporting ventures, Foley also owns multiple businesses in New Zealand tied to wineries and restaurants as well as the luxury lodge Wharekauhau on the South Wairarapa Coast.
"My family and I have a genuine appreciation and love for New Zealand," Foley said.
"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."
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