The Sounders’ bid to purchase NWSL club OL Reign "remains under review" after a presentation before France’s financial oversight board Tuesday in Paris, according to Jayda Evans of the SEATTLE TIMES. French publication Ouest-France noted that the DNCG (National Directorate of Management Control) "issued a 48-hour stay" for OL Groupe majority owner John Textor to "provide more information regarding actions taken to resolve the organization’s overall debt." The Reign were purchased by OL Groupe in 2019 for approximately $3.5M with club founders Bill and Teresa Predmore "retaining 7.5% of the team." French publication L’Equipe reported "28 offers were received" for the club. According to L’Equipe, the Sounders ownership group, led by majority owner Adrian Hanauer, is "set to pay approximately" $53M for the three-time NWSL Shield winners. Textor hoped the Reign transaction along with multiple player sells with the men’s team would "show OL Groupe is financially stable." The DNCG could "take control of OL’s finances, including limiting transfers or relegate the team, if its standards aren’t met." NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman also must "approve the sale." The league would like the deal to "close by the end of December" (SEATTLE TIMES, 11/29).
