Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris close to sealing $321 million MLS soccer deal

Egypt’s richest man, Nassef Sawiris, is close to sealing a mega £239 million ($321 million) MLS soccer deal with fellow business partner and co-owner of Aston Villa Football Club, Wes Edens.

According to media reports, the businessmen are looking to set up a Major League Soccer (MSL) outfit called the Las Vegas Villains in the United States.

To achieve this, Birmingham Live reported that the businessmen are speaking’ with the authorities about obtaining an MLS team license, which would cost them up to £239 million.

Experts opined that the move could provide the billionaires with an opportunity to diversify their business portfolio, grow their brands and gain more international exposure.

MLS is a men’s professional soccer league in the United States founded in 1993. It has 28 teams, 25 in the United States and three in Canada.

The league plans to expand to 29 teams by 2023 with the addition of St. Louis City.

If successful in their bid, the Las Vegas Villains will be the 30th team in the MLS, eligible to compete from 2024.

Sawiris is a serial investor and a scion of Egypt’s wealthiest family. According to Forbes, the tycoon is worth $8.1 billion. He controls diverse business empires across and beyond the continent, including but not limited to OCI, Orascom Construction, Adidas and Lafarge Holcim.

The tycoon is an avid football lover. Alongside Eden, a U.S. billionaire and private equity investor, he owns and controls the premier league side Aston Villa football club in the UK.