The Seattle Sounders are in “advanced talks” to purchase OL Reign, Sportico reported Wednesday.
While no agreement has been signed and talks could still fall apart, per Sportico, a deal would bring Seattle’s MLS and NWSL clubs under the same umbrella. Any deal would be subject to NWSL approval.
In April, OL Groupe announced its intention to sell OL Reign. Majority shareholder John Textor reportedly is seeking $50 million for the club, the Seattle Times reported. OL Groupe acquired the Reign for $3.5 million in 2019.
Sportico recently valued the Reign at $49 million, and NWSL expansion clubs in the Bay Area and Boston are paying expansion fees of $53 million. But it remains unclear how the Seattle club is being valued in the sale, Sportico reported.
The Reign are set to face Gotham FC in Saturday’s NWSL Championship, as the club seeks its first title.
“OL Reign is fully focused on the NWSL Championship this weekend with a goal of bringing our first title back home to Seattle,” the team said in a statement to Sportico. “The process on the sale of the club continues and we will share updates as they become available.”
The Sounders issued a statement as well, noting that they have “long admired” the Reign and hold a “deep respect” for the organization. But the MLS club did not comment on a possible acquisition.
A number of NWSL teams have changed hands in the last two years, including the Washington Spirit and Chicago Red Stars. The Red Stars were sold earlier this year to a group led by Chicago Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts in a $60 million deal, with $35.5 million going to the previous owners and $25.5 million to be invested in the Red Stars. The Portland Thorns are expected to complete a sale of their club by the end of the year.