By Sam Stejskal, Paul Tenorio and Jeff Rueter with additional reporting by Meg Linehan
MLS announced on Friday that Ron Burkle will not move forward with an expansion team in Sacramento, really calling into question the city’s hopes for a spot in the league.
Burkle was also involved in Sacramento’s NWSL bid. The Athletic reported in August 2020 that the city would be getting an expansion team – news confirmed by NWSL Commissioner Lisa Baird at a press conference in January. It is not yet clear how Burkle’s withdrawal will affect Sacramento’s efforts in NWSL, but initial impression from sources is that it will not detract from the team’s goal of joining the league in 2022.
An ownership group led by Burkle got an MLS expansion team in Sacramento in October 2019.