TAMPA, Fla. – Arizona United SC announced today an ownership transition to a group of influential local investors led by Berke Bakay, the Chief Executive Officer of Kona Grill. With the announcement, the new ownership group has appointed David Farca President of the club.

“We couldn’t be more excited at the opportunity we have with Arizona United by bringing together a who’s who of business leaders in the Phoenix area,” said Bakay. “Soccer has always been in my blood. My interest and involvement in the soccer world has been positively influenced by one of my uncles serving as the Vice-Chairman of the famed Galatasaray club in Istanbul.”

Joining Bakay and the new ownership group is Mark Detmer, the Managing Director of JLL; Tim Riester, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of RIESTER Advertising; Dave Stearns, the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Connect Wireless; Jim Scussel, the Co-Founder of Four Peaks Brewing Company; Richard Hauser, the President and Owner of Capital Real Estate, Inc.; and Brandon McCarthy, the veteran Major League Baseball player currently pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Farca, who was born and raised in Mexico City, is president of International Business Group and in 2015 was appointed President of the Board of Directors of the Arizona-Mexico Commission by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey.

Outgoing Arizona United Founder and Co-Chairman Kyle Eng made the announcement today with USL CEO Alec Papadakis.

“Launching Arizona United SC, the state’s only professional soccer franchise, ranks among my career highlights,” said Eng. “When we created the club in 2014, I envisioned a role as caretaker of a soccer side that would be a source of pride for the community. But I always planned to pass the torch to new owners who have a deeper passion for this great sport.

“The new ownership is a strong mix of local business leaders who are committed to growing the game to new heights,” Eng said. “Soccer is the ultimate team sport, and I am grateful for the efforts of our players, staff and sponsors and the unwavering support of our faithful fans, many whom I got to know personally. The future of professional soccer in Arizona is bright. I look forward to joining the supporter’s group and cheering Arizona United on for many years to come.”

“I want to give credit and am very grateful to Kyle for his work with Arizona United SC since 2014 when he founded the team at a time when the USL was just beginning to expand west,” Papadakis said. “We look forward to working with Arizona United’s new ownership group who recognize the club’s potential and have already made a commitment to raise the level of this team on and off the field.”

Brett M. Johnson, who has served as the team’s Co-Chairman and Alternate Governor and Ballertronix, the ownership group led by two-time Grammy Award winner Diplo, entertainment lawyer David Rappaport, Kevin Kusatsu and Pete Wentz, as well as other Limited Partners will remain with the team.

“Kyle Eng unquestionably saved professional soccer in Phoenix when he launched Arizona United out of the ashes of Phoenix Wolves FC,” stated Johnson and Rappaport jointly. “We are excited to continue that work with our new partners and do everything in our power to make Arizona United the most popular professional sports team in the Valley.”



About Arizona United SC’s new ownership group: