Red Bull interested in buying A-League club: report

Austrian drinks giant, Red Bull, are said to be interested in launching their own A-League team, according to reports.

Australian Tim Cahill (right) and Arsenal legend Theirry Henry (left) during their time at New York Red Bulls. Source: Getty Images

Red Bull own German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, MLS side New York Red Bulls and Austrian Bundesliga Red Bull Salzburg, but now the Austrian company is turning their attention to the A-League.

The AFR Weekend has reported that Red Bull co-founder and Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz is interested in establishing a presence in Australian football.

And while Red Bull would consider taking ownership of an already established club, they would rather "start from scratch" with a new team "rather than buy an established name and risk alienating a fan base," the AFR Weekend reports.

Expansion continues to be a big talking point in Australian football.

Football Federation Australia last week ruled out expansion until a totally new ownership and operating model is established, confirming the 2018/19 season would be the earliest new teams could join the league.

Interest of Red Bull would be welcome news to the the governing body, who have made no secret of their need for more investment in the sport saying last week expansion or any rapid growth in the game generally "will require significantly more capital investment".

Chairman Steven Lowy told AFR Weekend: "What the FFA has to do is come up with a structure that attracts more capital.

"We have to remember that after FFA was restructured in 2003 and 2004 – we achieved a lot of great things. Now is the time for the next phase.

"We understand the need for a separate A-League, where there is some ownership for clubs but with close links to the FFA. I am looking at this as a businessman.

“I would really like them to have that opportunity to make money on having that asset, to sell their shares if they want and for owners of expansion teams to buy in. We can raise capital that way. But we need owners who are in the sport for the long term."