The Levine Leichtman family is officially the new owner of the San Diego Wave, the club announced Thursday.
The acquisition was completed under the Levine Leichtman Family Office, which is overseen by Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine, the founders of the private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
“We are incredibly proud to take ownership of the San Diego Wave FC,” Leichtman said in a statement. “This team has made a significant impact on women’s soccer and has become an integral part of the San Diego community.”
Former principal owner Ron Burkle agreed to sell the club to the Levine Leichtman family in March at a total valuation of $120 million and a cash outlay of $113 million, The Athletic reported at the time. Whether going by the valuation or the amount spent, the sale is a record outlay for an NWSL club. The $120 million valuation is nearly double the previous outlay of $63 million paid by the Bhathal family for the Portland Thorns in a deal finalized in January.
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Burkle founded the club in 2021 and it went on to become the only expansion team in NWSL history to make the playoffs in its inaugural season. The Wave then won the NWSL Shield in its second season.
“What we have accomplished with the Wave has…
