Los Angeles FC has sold its majority stake in Grasshopper Club Zurich to Bridge Football Group Switzerland AG, ending a turbulent ownership stint that lasted barely two and a half years. The sale, announced on June 29, covers LAFC’s stake exceeding 90% of the storied Swiss club.

LAFC acquired GCZ from Chinese owners in January 2024 with ambitions of building a transatlantic football empire. By April 2026, the club was back on the market. The reason: fans weren’t having it.

Fan pressure forced LAFC’s hand

Grasshopper Club Zurich isn’t just any Swiss team. Founded in 1886, it holds 27 league titles, making it the most successful club in Swiss football history.

Intensified fan protests in April 2026 over the club’s performance and ownership dynamics pushed LAFC to publicly offer GCZ for sale. The timeline from “maybe we should sell” to “sold” was roughly two months.

No financial details of the transaction have been disclosed. LAFC has, however, emphasized its continued commitment to FC Wacker Innsbruck, another European club in its portfolio.

The multi-club ownership model hits a wall

LAFC’s rapid entry and exit from GCZ is a case study in the limits of the multi-club ownership trend that has swept through global football over the past decade. The model, popularized by City Football Group’s network of clubs spanning multiple continents, promises synergies in player development, scouting, and commercial revenue.

LAFC’s continued investment in FC Wacker Innsbruck suggests the organization still believes in the multi-club model. The pivot from Zurich to Innsbruck is a pivot from Switzerland’s most storied club to a lower-profile Austrian side.