A group of high‑profile Oklahoma athletes is pooling resources to bring a professional soccer franchise to downtown Oklahoma City, signaling a bold new chapter for the city's sports landscape.
The initiative, led by Echo and its Connective Capital model, seeks to assemble athletes, operators and community leaders into a sustainable club that will compete in the USL Championship beginning in 2028.
The planned MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, designed to hold just over 10,000 fans, is slated to open in the same year, providing a dedicated venue for the new team.
A coalition of sports legends and local partners
In addition to Mayfield, Williams and McLaughlin‑Levrone, the ownership group includes NBA veteran Russell Westbrook, Olympic track star Sydney McLaughlin‑Levrone, and former NBA standout Jalen Williams, who helped the city capture its first NBA championship in 2025.
Other investors such as Jozy Altidore, Nik Bonito, Nick Gross and the Chickasaw Nation round out the roster, while Christian Kanady, Echo’s founding partner and CEO, will steer the venture’s strategic direction.
Kanady emphasized that the project is more than a sports enterprise; it is positioned as a catalyst for economic development and community engagement across the region.
City officials and regional stakeholders have praised the coalition’s commitment to sustainability, noting that the stadium’s design incorporates green building practices and aims to become a model for future multipurpose venues.