UFC's Urijah Faber joins Sacramento Republic FC ownership group

UFC fighter Urijah Faber is one of several new additions to the Sacramento Republic FC ownership group.

UFC fighter Urijah Faber is one of several new additions to the Sacramento Republic FC ownership group, the team announced.

A native of southern California, Faber now trains out of Sacramento and owns a fighting team based in the city. No details were given about his stake in the group.

Sacramento Republic FC is attempting to convince MLS to take it on as an expansion team. The club, founded in 2012, made its debut in USL Pro this season and won the league championship last month.

Kevin Nagle is the lead investor in the team. All told, 13 individuals and entities have agreed to join the ownership group, with their investments contingent on Sacramento Republic FC being granted MLS expansion rights.

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Nagle had the following statement:

“I’m thrilled to partner with this esteemed group of local business people,” said lead investor Nagle. “Their collective investment in Sacramento Republic FC further bolsters the profile and financial strength of our ownership group, getting us another step closer toward our goal of a Major League Soccer franchise.”

The original ownership group included Nagle, co-founder and president Warren Smith and developer Larry Kelley.

MLS currently has plans to add three teams as expansion franchises, with New York City FC and Orlando City SC joining in 2015 and an Atlanta team joining in 2017. A Miami team has also been granted approval pending the successful financing of a new stadium.

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- Ben Estes