You might say that Austin FC got a lot cooler on Friday.
Two Oak Ventures, the expansion club’s parent company, revealed several new additions to their ownership group, including the superstar who ranks as one of the city’s most famous residents: Matthew McConaughey.
The actor, Texas native and outspoken Austin booster is also joined by technology entrepreneur Eddie Margain, president and chief commercial officer of Dell technologies Marius Haas and local energy executive Bryan Sheffield.
“It is my privilege to welcome my new partners to Austin FC,” said majority partner and CEO Anthony Precourt in a club release. “This group knows and loves the city of Austin and the beautiful game. I can’t think of anyone better to help us realize our ambitions as a soccer club for this entire community.”
The new investors bring a “range of business acumen, entrepreneurial expertise and most importantly, roots in Austin,” noted the club, which recently announced that they are on track to break ground on their privately-financed, soccer-specific stadium in the McKalla Place neighborhood next month.
The venue is scheduled to debut in spring 2021 when Austin FC make their MLS expansion debut.
“It’s been so fun to bring together this group of friends to invest in an amazing organization that will impact so many of our fellow Austinites,” said Margain, who will be appointed Alternate Governor of Austin FC for MLS’s Board of Governors.
“Austin FC is going to bring the best of professional soccer to our city, and my hope is that we inspire more Austin kids to play and enjoy this beautiful sport.”
An avid sports fan who previously attended an LAFC match in Austin FC gear as a guest of LAFC part-owner Will Ferrell, McConaughey — whose career breakthrough came in the classic Austin-centric movie "Dazed and Confused" — is regularly spotted on the sidelines at football and basketball games and the University of Texas, his alma mater.
“Austin FC is more than a quality investment FOR Austin, it’s a quality investment IN Austin,” said McConaughey. “The most diverse and borderless game in the world is now coming to one of the most multicultural, creative and diverse cities in the world. Austin FC is a healthy investment in our city’s culture and future.”
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