Sporting Kansas City is set to be sold for an enterprise value of roughly $700 million, making it the highest-priced majority stake sale in Major League Soccer (MLS) history.
The Illig family, which has owned Sporting KC since 2006, will sell 71% of the team to one of the club’s existing limited partners while retaining a just-under-10% stake. Despite the sale, the Illigs will continue to manage the club day-to-day and maintain their positions on MLS’s board of governors.
Forbes valued Sporting KC at $650 million last year. The new deal reflects the steady rise in MLS franchise valuations, which reached an average of $690 million in 2025, up 19% from 2023.
Sporting KC has consistently performed well financially despite a smaller media market. The franchise generated an estimated $81 million in revenue in 2025, tying for 11th in the league. The club also manages a hospitality business and hosts events like the FIFA Fan Festival in Kansas City.
The sale comes as MLS prepares for its 31st season and a major overhaul of its competition calendar in 2027. The league is also restructuring media rights with Apple, adjusting streaming packages and subscription models.
The Illig family has played a key role in the club’s growth, overseeing the name change from Kansas City Wizards to Sporting KC, building a $200 million soccer-specific stadium, and steering the franchise away from financial losses.
This historic sale underscores MLS’s growing financial clout in U.S. sports and highlights the increasing value of its franchises as soccer’s popularity continues to rise.
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