Australian Sports Group: Everything you need about Canberra United's future

Canberra United's new owners are already looking at establishing a training base for the A-League Women club.

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Australian Sports Group, the new United owners announced on Friday, are investigating the possibilities of a training base at McKellar Park and will have an office in the Belconnen Soccer Club venue next door.

New Canberra United chief executive Theo Fotopoulos and chairman Morris McAlister. Pictures by Karleen Minney

ASG chief executive Theo Fotopoulos and chairman Morris McAlister were at McKellar Park for the announcement they'd taken over United in time to guarantee its participation in the coming ALW season.

While Fotopoulos dodged questions about how much the licence cost ASG, it's believed the sum total of the deal is $15 million - which includes the men's team - but it initially involves a guarantee to underwrite Canberra United up to $3 million over multiple years.

Here are the answers to the crucial questions surrounding the takeover.

Where will home be?

Fotopoulos said Canberra United would continue to play games at their spiritual home of McKellar Park.

He also said the next-door Belconnen Soccer Club would be a "strategic partner".

Plus, they were investigating the possibility of creating a training base at McKellar.

Capital Football and the ACT government had plans to build one at the Throsby Home of Football, but the project fell over because Capital Football could no longer afford it.

Fotopoulos said they would investigate a number of options around Canberra.

"It'll come down to what we can get approved in terms of the facility here," he told The Canberra Times.

"It's one of the few private grounds in Canberra. It's roughly about six hectares.

"I've spoken to the relevant people, so it looks very positive what we can do here.

"But football needs a home and it'd be great to be able to develop that here."

Fotopoulos shows his soccer skills. Picture by Karleen Minney

Who will coach?

The new owners have already spoken to Antoni Jagarinec, the Canberra United coach who led them to the finals the past two seasons, and will look to quickly appoint a mentor for their first season.

They'll also look to lock in their players as quickly as possible, with pre-season set to begin in six weeks.

The A-League Women draw will be released next month, with the season set to kick off on October 16.

"That is our priority to get that finalised," Fotopoulos said.

"In fact, we had some recent meetings with the coach.

"I believe the PFA are also working with all the players at the moment and we'd like to get that wrapped up quicker than later.

"We feel very confident with the reaction we've had so far from the players that that will happen in haste.

The new owners have already spoken to coach Antoni Jagarinec. Picture by Karleen Minney

"It's never a no-brainer, but yeah, look, I think [Jagarinec's] results speak for themselves.

"We're looking for continuity and consolidation. We'll have those announcements out pretty soon."

Will there be a men's team?

At this stage ASG only has an option for a men's team to enter for the 2028-29 season - not an actual licence

Given how much drama there's been around Canberra's bid to get an A-League Men team over the past 18 years, the fact it's delayed to three seasons away was a concern.

All the talk before Friday's announcement had been United would be the focus for the coming season, with a men's team to follow a year later.

So will there definitely be a Canberra men's team?

Fotopoulos was adamant.

Everybody's happy about United being saved. Picture by Karleen Minney

"Well, we're here today, so that's your best guarantee," he said.

"That is part of our twin strategy.

"When we started speaking to the APL ... that was part of our mix.

"We believe the strength comes from both.

"It would be almost discriminatory not to work with the men. It's always been part of our plans."

Will they still be United?

Why would you throw away 18 years of history?

Why indeed. It's why Fotopoulos said they'll stick with the name - for both the men and the women.

Potential future United players watch on with interest. Picture by Karleen Minney

But he does want Canberra to come up with a nickname through a public campaign that could be run through The Canberra Times.

The Cosmos? Arrows? Greens? Lakers? The possibilities are virtually endless.

"The name will remain the same, Canberra United," Fotopoulos said.

"You've got 18 years of Canberra United. Why would you change it?

"Unless somebody or the general public have got a negative view towards the team - I don't think that's the case.

"If the Canberra community want a nickname for their team, Green Machine, whatever they come up with, we're happy to look at that and we'll run a public campaign, possibly through your paper."

Who are the owners?

McAlister's background is in commerce and he's the governing director of Petron Plus 7 Australian and New Zealand, which sells engine and machine products like lubricants and grease.

He's also the senior consultant of MEC Team Consultants, which links Australian businesses with markets in China.

Fotopoulos and McAlister have two years to create a men's team. Picture by Karleen Minney

Fotopoulos is a marketing executive and is FOS Group Australia's chief executive.

The pair were involved in the Sydney Cosmos, where Fotopoulos was the chief executive.

They were also involved in the Newcastle Breakers, which played in the now defunct NSL, and Fotopoulos was Sydney Olympic's chief executive.

The A-League news Canberra's been waiting years for

Canberra United's future is finally secured after two years of constant uncertainty.

And the A-League Women team's new owners have committed to joining the A-League Men competition in 2028-29.

Canberra United has been saved with the Australian Sports Group taking over the club. Pictures by Keegan Carroll, Karleen Minney and LinkedIn

The Canberra Times can reveal Canberra United has a private owner for the first time, with Australian Sports Group buying the licence this week.

Capital Football has run United since its inception in 2008, but the cost of running the team became too great for the soccer federation to bear.

Last season was Capital Football's final one in charge, with the future of the ALW club up in the air until a new owner could be found.

The A-Leagues will announce ASG as Canberra United's saviour on Friday, ensuring the ALW club's participation in the upcoming 2026-27 season.

There wasn't time to do those checks in time for United to play in the upcoming summer so the focus was switched to ensuring the women's team's survival first.

But ASG chief executive Theo Fotopoulos has committed to creating a men's team as well.

Morris McAlister is the ASG chairman.

"Canberra is home to a thriving football community - a huge participant and passionate supporter base who have made Canberra United one of the most strongly supported A-League Women teams for the last 18 years," Fotopoulos said.

"We're thrilled to be leading the next generation of professional football in Canberra, taking on the ownership of the Canberra United women's team with a renewed focus on growth and investment, and progressing towards an integrated professional club with the introduction of an A-League Men's team in season 2028-29."

Fotopoulos also committed to re-establishing Canberra's academy pathways, after Capital Football controversially axed United's academy three years ago.

He also wants to invest in soccer infrastructure in the capital.

"We're excited to be part of growing the A-Leagues and building a strong club focused on community engagement, football excellence, commercial growth, new infrastructure and strengthening the football development pathways for boys and girls in the territory and the capital region," Fotopoulos said.

Hopefully it's also the end for Canberra's bid for a men's team.

Canberra bid leader Michael Caggiano has been working tirelessly to make it happen for the past eight years.

The APL finally announced the capital as a preferred location for an expansion team almost three-and-a-half years ago - along with current champions Auckland, which has been in the competition the past two seasons.

APL chair Steve Conroy thanked the ACT government and Canberra soccer community for their support.

"Following a competitive process, we're excited to announce the Australian Sports Group as the new owner of Canberra United - securing the future of the women's team and establishing a pathway to introduce a new A-League Men's team in Canberra," he said.

"This is an exciting next step for professional football in the ACT and highlights the growth opportunity for the A-Leagues and football in Canberra."

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