The San Francisco Deltas Join the NASL for 2017 Season
The North American Soccer League has expanded to San Francisco as the SF Deltas are set to take the field during the 2017 season. The club is funded by a group of Silicon Valley and Brazilian investors and will host its home matches at Kezar Stadium located in San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Park.
Soccer News: The North American Soccer League (NASL) has officially reached the West Coast. The San Francisco Deltas, led by a group of Silicon Valley and Brazilian entrepreneurs, will take the field in 2017 as the league’s first West Coast club.
“This is a great day for the NASL and for soccer in North America,” said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. “The Deltas are leading our West Coast expansion efforts in a city that has some of the country’s most passionate soccer supporters. The club was founded and will be managed on core principles that represent the Bay Area community, as well as our great sport. The Deltas will be a great club for our league.”
The Deltas will play their home games at Kezar Stadium – located in San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Park – becoming the city’s only professional soccer club. Entrepreneur Brian Andrés Helmick will lead the Deltas as the club’s CEO.
“Today is a great day for Bay Area soccer and sports fans alike,” Helmick said. “This game – soccer, fútbol, football – is one that unites us all, crossing all boundaries whether geographical, religious or socio-economic. Now fans of the world’s largest sport will have an opportunity to experience it played at the highest level right here in the heart of the City.”
The club is funded by a diverse group of investors from Silicon Valley and Brazil. Among the group are individuals who have helped build and develop companies like Apple, Facebook, Google, PayPal, Twitter, and Yahoo. Adding to the significant business and technology expertise within the group, several investors hail from Brazil, which is home to one of the world’s most vibrant and successful soccer landscapes.
“First and foremost, this is a great group of individuals who are joining our league,” said Jacksonville Armada FC Owner and NASL Chairman Mark Frisch. “Their presence has already proved to be beneficial in many discussions, and we’re very happy to have a West Coast club playing at a historic venue in a city that is very passionate about soccer.”
Given the collective background of the investment group, as well as the club’s tech-savvy fan base, the Deltas plan to use technology as a tool to better reach and interact with their supporters.
Kezar Stadium, where the Deltas will play beginning in 2017, was the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers from 1946-1970. Soccer has been played at Kezar Stadium before, with the legendary Pele once taking the field at the venue. The stadium capacity will be approximately 10,000 when the Deltas take the field for the 2017 NASL Spring Season.
“I’m very excited to welcome the San Francisco Deltas to the NASL,” said Tampa Bay Rowdies Owner Bill Edwards. “The Deltas are the league’s first West Coast club, and this announcement is a great example of how fast the NASL is growing. The best part is their professional management team led by Brian Helmick. I think this club will be a great addition to our league, and I’m sure they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2017. ”
The Deltas are already accepting season ticket reservations on their newly launched website here, where fans can also go to learn more about the club’s name, logo, and philosophy.
“I’d like to congratulate the San Francisco Deltas on expanding the league’s footprint to the West Coast and into one of America’s great cities,” said Indy Eleven Owner Ersal Ozdemir. “Their ownership is fully committed to the league’s vision and growth, and we look forward to our meetings against San Francisco next season and beyond.”
Just as the Deltas will be doing this time next year, two NASL expansion clubs will be playing their inaugural matches this Saturday as part of the league’s opening weekend. Rayo OKC will kick off the 2016 NASL Spring Season at home against FC Edmonton, while Miami FC will open up against its South Florida neighbors, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, at Lockhart Stadium.
Source/Photo Credit: NASL
