Oklahoma City was at the forefront of the battle between the NASL and USL as they looked to move into new markets before the USL's massive expansion in 2015. Soccer America Daily reported that the USL's OKC Energy FC began in 2014, and two years later Rayo OKC will enter the NASL.
hat's Rayo as in Rayo Vallecano, the Spanish club that will own a majority interest in the new team that will play at the new 6,500-seat Miller Stadium, a $17 million facility on the campus of Yukon High School.
Rayo Vallecano owner Raul Martin Presa will be the majority owner of Rayo OKC and Sold Out Strategies will serve as managing partner.
In a battle of sports entrepreneurs, Sold Out Strategies and co-owner Brad Lund had been at odds with the USL in 2013 and eventually lost out to Bob Funk Jr. and Prodigal LLC, which operates OKC Energy FC. MLS has had a number of arrangements involving international ownership, but this is the first by the NASL.
OKC Energy FC played at Pribil Stadium on the campus of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High in 2014 before moving this season into renovated Taft Stadium, at the heart of the USL-NASL battle.
“Our launch of Rayo OKC is another groundbreaking addition to the international soccer community,” said NASL commissioner Bill Peterson. “The club’s unique partnership with Rayo Vallecano de Madrid highlights the global nature of the game and the global vision of the league. Rayo OKC will be the first American club able to take advantage of the expertise of La Liga to identify top players and build its roster accordingly.”
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