Let’s do this one more time — Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg confirmed that the wheels have begun to spin again on an MLS bid for Republic FC, following a Sacramento Bee report that the club has a new investor eyeing the team.
As you may recall, Republic FC was selected to be the 29th MLS team in 2019 — but lead investor Ron Burkle pulled out of the deal in 2021 over pandemic-related business concerns.
At a press conference Thursday, Mayor Steinberg confirmed the Sac Bee’s report that another MLS bid is in the works. Belinda Stronach — an investor and former member of the House of Commons of Canada — and her company, The Stronach Group, have been in discussion with city officials and the Downtown Railyards Venture (the proposed location for Republic’s MLS stadium ) for over a year.
“We will never give up, because Sacramento deserves Major League Soccer,” Steinberg told reporters.
San Diego was recently selected as the 30th city to host an MLS team, with an expected 2025 start date. While no timeline was given for when the City of Trees may join the league, Mayor Steinberg was optimistic about what the near future holds.
“This will be done by the time I leave office , one way or another, no question.”