An Auckland A-League football franchise is expected for the 2024-25 season. 

The competition has confirmed American billionaire Bill Foley as the preferred bidder.  

Foley owns NHL ice hockey's Golden Knights and the Premier League's AFC Bournemouth. 

He told Mike Hosking that he believes they can be really successful by tapping into the New Zealand football market, and provide younger players with a pathway into professional sports. 

Foley said that while a few people may come down from the Golden Knights, this will be a New Zealand team, not an American team. 

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