Sporting Kansas City Majority Stake Sold at Record MLS Valuation
- Jonathan Turner
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
porting Kansas City is set to change hands in a landmark deal for Major League Soccer.
The Illig family, owners of Sporting KC since 2006, have agreed to sell a majority stake in the club at an enterprise valuation of approximately $700 million, according to multiple league sources. The sale represents the highest known valuation for a majority stake in MLS history as the league prepares to open its 31st season in February.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Illig family will sell 71% of the club, reducing its ownership stake to just under 10%. The buyer is one of Sporting KC’s existing limited partners, Peter Mallouk, president and CEO of wealth advisory firm Creative Planning. Mallouk, who has held a stake in Sporting KC since 2022, will now control roughly 80% of the club. He is also a minority owner of the Kansas City Royals.
While the ownership percentages will shift significantly, the Illig family is expected to retain its roles as governor and alternate governor for Sporting Kansas City, at least in the short term. MLS has traditionally required a controlling owner to hold at least 35% of a franchise, though exceptions have been made in recent years.
“We can confirm that there have been no changes in the management of the club, and no changes in the club’s ownership participation in MLS governance or league activities,” Sporting Kansas City said in a statement. “The Illig family continues to lead the club’s shareholder group, manage the club day to day, and represent Sporting Kansas City on the MLS Board of Governors.”
Major League Soccer declined to comment on the transaction.
The reported $700 million valuation exceeds Forbes’ most recent estimate of $650 million for Sporting KC, which ranked 16th among MLS clubs. League-wide valuations have continued to climb, with the average MLS club now valued at $690 million in 2025, a 19% increase from 2023.
That growth has been reflected across the league. LAFC currently leads MLS valuations at $1.25 billion, while recent minority stake sales have pushed clubs like the Columbus Crew, Austin FC, and Seattle Sounders into the $900 million range. Earlier this year, the Miller family acquired RSL Football Holdings for a reported $600 million, and Rogers Communications increased its stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, gaining majority control of Toronto FC.
As MLS continues its rapid financial rise, the Sporting Kansas City sale stands as another signal of the league’s expanding market value, with additional clubs—including the Vancouver Whitecaps and San Jose Earthquakes—still believed to be exploring potential sale opportunities
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