LAFC on Thursday announced actor Will Ferrell and Riot Games co-Founder & CEO Brandon Beck as members of the MLS expansion side’s ownership group, according to Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. The pair joins an ownership group which includes Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra and Dodgers co-Owner Peter Guber. Hamm said, "The ownership group is so diverse and everyone is so successful in their own walk and area of expertise." LAFC Principal Owner Henry Nguyen said, "Will has an unbelievable fan base and following of his own. He’s going to bring a lot of fan interest to our club" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/8). Ferrell said, "I've never been a part-owner of anything so -- I'm still a part owner of an '84 Toyota Camry with my brother." He added, "I started playing soccer in the mean streets of Irvine, California when I was 8 years old" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/8). In L.A., Kevin Baxter notes Ferrell’s addition "increases the size of that ownership group to an unwieldy 26 members" (L.A. TIMES, 1/8). ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle noted LAFC President & co-Owner Tom Penn "indicated that it was another part-owner, Larry Berg, who approached Ferrell about joining the ownership group." Nguyen said of how many owners the team will add on, "There's no plan. From the outside, it seems cumbersome. I tell you what, it's been a joy. ... For now there probably won't be any more new owners, but there's no promise" (ESPNFC.com). In Vancouver, Marc Weber wrote of Ferrell's addition to the club, "A damn good marketing move. ... Take that, Seattle and Drew Carey" (THEPROVINCE.com, 1/7).
LEST WE FORGET THE CREST: The L.A. DAILY NEWS' Nguyen notes LAFC on Thursday also "unveiled black and gold as its official colors and its new crest," and the team "hopes its next major announcement will be the beginning of its new stadium, slated for construction in Exposition Park" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/8). The TIMES' Baxter notes a stylized wing, "symbolizing power and mobility -- but also a nod to the L.A. as 'the city of the angels' -- protrudes prominently from the 'A'" of the crest. The gold outline "was inspired by the seal" of the city of L.A. Its Art Deco design "reflects the iconic architecture of the city and recalls the Hollywood heyday before and after World War II" (L.A. TIMES, 1/8). YAHOO SPORTS' Leander Schaerlaeckens noted LAFC's crest "was far better received than most" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/7). The PROVINCE's Weber wrote LAFC’s crest "will of course get mixed reviews because all crests get mixed reviews." Weber: "I say they nailed it" (THEPROVINCE.com, 1/7).
