Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan is one of 22 owners of a new Los Angeles football franchise unveiled by Major League Soccer on Thursday. The Malaysian businessman, who has courted controversy by changing the colour of Cardiff's shirts from blue to red, is joined by the likes of Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and U.S. women's football great Mia Hamm. The surprisingly large group is led by Vietnamese-American venture capitalist Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber, co-owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, and former NBA executive turned television analyst Tom Penn. Cardiff owner Vincent Tan is part of a 22-person group investing in a new LA football franchise . The Malaysian businessman has courted controversy over his ownership of the Welsh club . Former Major League Baseball player Nomar Garciaparra, who is Hamm's husband, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins are also among the owners. The new team, which has a working name of Los Angeles Football Club, is scheduled to begin play in 2017 and will compete with the four-times MLS champion LA Galaxy club for support. 'We believe this team can become one of the most outstanding clubs in Major League Soccer and a globally-recognized brand,' Nguyen said in a statement. 'Today is day one and time for us to focus on developing a world-class stadium for the club to play in and for fans to enjoy.' The team's official name, front office, coaching and administrative staff will be announced at later dates. Basketball legend Magic Johnson is among the owners of the 'Los Angeles Football Club' Another owner, Mia Hamm, shows her gold medal after winning the women's football at the 2004 Olympics . 'Los Angeles is a diverse, vibrant market with millions of soccer fans, and we look forward to an intense rivalry between the Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber . The unveiling on the new team comes three days after MLS said struggling Chivas USA, which had ground-shared with the Galaxy at the StubHub Center in the L.A. suburb of Carson, had ceased operations. New York City FC, owned by Manchester City of England's Premier League and baseball's New York Yankees, will join MLS next season along with another expansion team, Orlando City SC, as the league grows to 20 teams in its 20th year. The new football franchise will rival Robbie Keane's (R) LA Galaxy for support when it begins life in 2017 .
Vincent Tan has joined a 22-person ownership group for new LA franchise .
Cardiff owner is accompanied by the likes of Magic Johnson and Mia Hamm .
New MLS team will begin playing in 2017 and rival LA Galaxy for support .
Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan is one of 22 owners of a new Los Angeles football franchise unveiled by Major League Soccer on Thursday. The Malaysian businessman, who has courted controversy by changing the colour of Cardiff's shirts from blue to red, is joined by the likes of Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and U.S. women's football great Mia Hamm. The surprisingly large group is led by Vietnamese-American venture capitalist Henry Nguyen, Peter Guber, co-owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, and former NBA executive turned television analyst Tom Penn. Cardiff owner Vincent Tan is part of a 22-person group investing in a new LA football franchise . The Malaysian businessman has courted controversy over his ownership of the Welsh club . Former Major League Baseball player Nomar Garciaparra, who is Hamm's husband, and motivational speaker Tony Robbins are also among the owners. The new team, which has a working name of Los Angeles Football Club, is scheduled to begin play in 2017 and will compete with the four-times MLS champion LA Galaxy club for support. 'We believe this team can become one of the most outstanding clubs in Major League Soccer and a globally-recognized brand,' Nguyen said in a statement. 'Today is day one and time for us to focus on developing a world-class stadium for the club to play in and for fans to enjoy.' The team's official name, front office, coaching and administrative staff will be announced at later dates. Basketball legend Magic Johnson is among the owners of the 'Los Angeles Football Club' Another owner, Mia Hamm, shows her gold medal after winning the women's football at the 2004 Olympics . 'Los Angeles is a diverse, vibrant market with millions of soccer fans, and we look forward to an intense rivalry between the Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber . The unveiling on the new team comes three days after MLS said struggling Chivas USA, which had ground-shared with the Galaxy at the StubHub Center in the L.A. suburb of Carson, had ceased operations. New York City FC, owned by Manchester City of England's Premier League and baseball's New York Yankees, will join MLS next season along with another expansion team, Orlando City SC, as the league grows to 20 teams in its 20th year. The new football franchise will rival Robbie Keane's (R) LA Galaxy for support when it begins life in 2017 .
to red, is joined by the likes of Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and U.S. women's football Vincent Tan is part of a 22-person group 20th year. The new football franchise will rival Robbie Keane's (R) LA Galaxy for support when it begins life in 2017 .