Who Owns Philadelphia Union?

The Philadelphia Union entered Major League Soccer as an expansion franchise in 2008 after years of grassroots organizing by the Sons of Ben supporters group, which had lobbied for a Philadelphia team since 2001. The club's identity pays homage to the region's colonial history, with the name referencing the Colonial Union and the team colors of navy blue and gold reflecting the Continental Army's uniforms. The club crest incorporates thirteen stars representing the original thirteen American colonies and the rattlesnake design inspired by Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" political cartoon.

The Union played their inaugural MLS season in 2010, finishing with an 8-15-7 record under manager Peter Nowak. Despite missing the playoffs, the team established a passionate fan base and introduced the "Doop" goal celebration song that has since become synonymous with the club. Their soccer-specific stadium in Chester, Pennsylvania, originally named PPL Park, opened on June 27, 2010, with a 3-1 victory over Seattle Sounders FC before a sellout crowd of 18,755 spectators.

The early 2010s saw mixed competitive results with playoff appearances in 2011 and 2016 but no postseason success. A significant turning point came in 2014 with the hiring of Earnie Stewart as sporting director, who implemented a strategic development model emphasizing youth academy integration and data-driven recruitment. This approach was further refined when Ernst Tanner replaced Stewart in 2018, introducing a distinctive high-pressing tactical system that would become the team's signature playing style.

A transformative ownership change occurred in June 2018 when Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), led by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, acquired controlling interest in the franchise from Keystone Sports and Entertainment. This acquisition brought increased financial resources and professional sports management expertise, as HBSE also owned the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils. Under HBSE's stewardship, the Union expanded their operational infrastructure, including a $55 million investment in training facilities completed in 2020.

The club experienced a competitive breakthrough in 2020, winning their first major trophy, the Supporters' Shield, which is awarded to the team with the best regular-season record. This achievement validated the Union's player development model, as homegrown talents like Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, and Auston Trusty played crucial roles in the team's success. The following year, the Union reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time, narrowly missing MLS Cup qualification after a squad decimated by COVID-19 protocols fell to eventual champions New York City FC.

In February 2023, the Union made headlines with the club-record transfer of midfielder Paxten Aaronson to Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported $4 million, demonstrating the success of their youth development pipeline. Later that year, they advanced to the Concacaf Champions League semifinals, establishing themselves as a regional competitive force. By 2024, the Union had solidified their reputation as one of MLS's most consistently successful clubs, qualifying for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance.

The club experienced another watershed moment in April 2025 when they unveiled the $85 million Subaru Park expansion and modernization project, increasing capacity from 18,500 to 22,000 while adding premium seating areas, enhanced technology infrastructure, and improved concession options. The renovations were completed in March 2026, just months before Philadelphia was scheduled to host several matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, though Subaru Park itself was not selected as an official tournament venue.

In sporting terms, the Union's most recent achievement came in December 2025 when they captured their second Supporters' Shield, setting a club record with 72 points from a 21-5-8 record under long-term head coach Jim Curtin, who became the third-longest tenured coach in MLS history. As of February 2026, the club continues to operate under HBSE ownership with a core philosophy emphasizing tactical innovation, youth development, and strategic player recruitment.