Meg Whitman, FC Cincinnati's newest owner, says the soccer club is a 'tech business'

Sharon Coolidge | Cincinnati Enquirer

FC Cincinnati owner Carl Lindner III officially welcomed the team's newest owner, Silicon Valley star Meg Whitman, to the ownership group during a press conference Monday.

Lindner said Whitman's $100 million investment will help make FC Cincinnati's grand ambitions for the West End Stadium, training center and development around the stadium more

In recent months the team has added some new owners. but none as big as Whitman's family's commitment. Whitman's husband, Dr. Griff Harsh, a neurosurgeon and chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at UC Davis Health, is also a named owner.

"Meg and Griff's investment in FC Cincinnati ... well positions our club to achieve some pretty grand ambitions," Lindner said.

Lindner will remain majority owner.

"My plans are to be the controlling owner for a long time," Lindner said. "My family didn't spend this time... and effort with the thought of selling the team quickly."

And he added, "... the buck stops here – good, bad or otherwise."

Whitman said she would offer her expertise where needed. Most important, she said, is that every business – including FC Cincinnati –-- is a technology business.

And Whitman should know. She helped turn Ebay into the giant business it is today, has led Hewlett-Packard and, and is now, along with Jeffrey Katzenberg, launching Quibi, a new streaming service designed for mobile phones.

Whitman got her start at Procter and Gamble as an assistant brand manager and is on the company's board. She said she's been impressed with Cincinnati's growth in recent years.

"I would say every city needs a technology hub," Whitman said. She mentioned the Brandery and other city tech startups, adding: "The point I make, is every business is a tech business. Cities need to make sure they invest."

The team's current valuation at $500 million, a figure that includes its $250 million West End stadium, its $35 million Milford practice facility and a $150 million MLS expansion fee.

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Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report.