In late 2022, Sporting Kansas City found itself in the thick of one of the most unlikely transfer sagas in American soccer. Just weeks after Cristiano Ronaldo‘s high-profile departure from Manchester United, the MLS club launched a bold campaign to bring the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to the American Midwest. What followed was a serious pursuit that few outside league circles fully appreciated at the time.
SKC held Ronaldo’s MLS discovery rights, giving them the exclusive option to negotiate within the league. They used that leverage immediately. According to Tom Bogert, they met with Ronaldo’s team multiple times, crafting a proposal that included not just a large salary but commercial incentives, international jersey sale cuts, and even an ownership stake in the club.
The deal, according to ESPN’s Taylor Twellman, was “very close” to what Ronaldo eventually signed with Saudi club Al Nassr. And SKC believed it was down to the final two. One meeting became another. High-level club executives got involved. Patrick Mahomes, part-owner of SKC and face of the NFL’s Chiefs, was prepared to pitch Ronaldo on the city himself.
What tipped the balance
Ultimately, the amount was too high to match. Reports placed Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract at roughly $210 million annually when endorsements and ambassadorial agreements were included. That eclipsed even the most creative package Kansas City could offer under MLS’s single-entity structure.
But it wasn’t just the finances. Al Nassr offered a global commercial platform tied to Saudi Arabia‘s long-term sports ambitions. It gave Ronaldo a prominent role, an international stage, and space to lead without the U.S. media glare. The MLS move, as ambitious as it was, came with baggage, including past U.S. legal matters and a media market unlikely to let them go quietly.
Still, the pursuit changed perceptions. SKC didn’t just ask—they negotiated. They envisioned the logistics, security, and operational overhaul required. They didn’t just flirt with the idea. They came close.
What the attempt proved was clear: MLS clubs, even those far from New York, Los Angeles, or Miami, are willing to make big swings. Discovery rights gave Kansas City the first shot. Courage and creativity gave them staying power. They didn’t land the signature, but they sent a message that resonates across the league: ambition isn’t limited by geography.
