By Sam Stejskal, Paul Tenorio and Jeff Rueter, with additional reports by Meg Linehan
MLS announced on Friday that Ron Burkle will not go any further with an expansion team in Sacramento, putting the city’s hopes of getting a place in the league in real doubt.
Burkle was also involved in Sacramento’s NWSL bid. Athletic reported in August 2020 that the city will receive an expansion team – news that was confirmed by NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird at a January press conference. It is not yet clear how Burkle’s retirement will affect Sacramento’s efforts in the NWSL, but the early impression from sources is that it will not diminish the team’s goal of joining the league in 2022.
A group of owners led by Burkle received an MLS expansion team in Sacramento in October 2019.