D.C. United confirmed reports emerging from the UK on Saturday that linked one of the club's owners, Jason Levien, to a group seeking the potential acquisition of English Premier League club Swansea City.
"D.C. United's managing general partner Jason Levien, is finalizing, with an investment group, the purchase of a controlling interest in Swansea City of the English Premier League," read a statement provided by a D.C. team spokesperson. "This is an exciting opportunity for the club and will provide United an even greater network within the international soccer community."
Swansea also issued a statement earlier on Saturday, identifying businessman and Memphis Grizzlies minority owner Steve Kaplan as another member of the group pursuing the Swansea takeover.
"Swansea City Football Club can confirm that it is working to finalize an agreement to bring in a new major shareholder," read the Swansea statement. "Board members have discussed an agreement which would see Steve Kaplan, Jason Levien and their investment group acquiring a controlling interest in the club. Chairman Huw Jenkins and vice-chairman Leigh Dineen would remain in their management leadership roles within the club. Talks will continue with the aim of an agreement being ratified by the end of the season."
"We believe we have a proposal which will help Swansea City progress both on and off the field," Jenkins said as part of the Swansea statement.
The Swans currently sit comfortably in 12th place in the English Premier League table after defeating Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday and they are virtually assured of avoiding relegation and retaining a spot in the EPL next year, when a fresh influx of global TV rights fees are expected to enter league and club coffers.
Another of D.C. United's owners, Erick Thohir, is also the owner of legendary Italian Serie A team Inter Milan, a team he acquired in late 2013. Inter are in fourth place in the current Serie A season.
Thohir and Levien joined Will Chang as managing partners of D.C. United in July 2012.
