What AFC Bournemouth Fans Can Expect from a Bill Foley-Owned Team

On June 22, 2016, when the National Hockey League formally approved Bill Foley's bid for an expansion team in Las Vegas, fans in the city had every reason to wonder: what kind of owner will he be?

Just six-and-a-half years later, as Foley's purchase of AFC Bournemouth has been approved by the Premier League, supporters of the Cherries could be asking the same sorts of questions.

The big difference? Now Foley has a track record as a sports owner. While a successful businessman, Foley had never been closely involved in sports before securing the Golden Knights franchise. Since then, he has added two more sports teams in Vegas to his portfolio.

AFC Bournemouth fans can look at the Golden Knights' track record and get a sense of what to expect.

That isn't to say that Bournemouth will necessarily duplicate VGK's on-ice success on the pitch. But the approach that produced those results - those tenets that have defined Foley's tenure as an owner in Las Vegas - will undoubtedly follow him across the pond.

Here's a look at some of the key elements.

• It starts with strong values. In naming the Golden Knights, Foley drew upon his U.S. Military Academy background, where the school's nickname is the Black Knights. A Knight is the "epitome of the warrior class" and the "protector of the unprotected." Those are phrases that adorn the walls of the locker rooms and business offices in Las Vegas, and they are more than words. Other qualities that define a Knight - which English history buffs would know well - include loyalty, bravery, fearlessness and modesty. Foley's teams, from the players to the front office staff, have been held to a higher standard, on the playing surface and in the community.

• An emphasis on player development. From the start in Vegas, Foley has provided his teams with everything necessary to reach their full potential. The $25 million City National Arena was built before the Golden Knights took the ice, a state-of-the-art training facility. When Foley acquired the Henderson Silver Knights of the American Hockey League - another move meant to improve player development - he built a nearly identical training facility for them. He invested heavily into scouting resources, both in terms of personnel, technology and other resources, an approach that he has indicated he plans to duplicate in football.

• Being engaged and treating players well. Foley spends most of the hockey season in Las Vegas, when there he regularly enjoys lunch alongside the Golden Knights players in their lounge. He listens to any concerns they have and takes immediate steps to address them. Players often comment on how much they enjoy their time spent with Bill.

• Commitment to invest. Foley's Vegas teams have had the financial support necessary to compete at the highest levels. The Golden Knights spend to the NHL's salary cap every year, and when injuries sideline their players for an extended period, Foley adds to his investment as allowed under NHL rules.

• An emphasis on supporter experience. Vegas is a city built on entertainment, and Foley knew the experience at T-Mobile Arena had to exceed expectations to keep fans coming back. The game presentation at a Golden Knights contests is so good, it has been recognized multiple times by the NHL as the best in the league and emulated by professional teams around not just the NHL, but the NFL and NBA as well.

• Serve the community. Another phrase on the walls in Vegas is "Like hockey, 'community' is a contact sport." The same applies to football, of course, and Las Vegas residents have become accustomed to Foley's teams' presence in the community. Often that has been in person - in the form of hospital visits, charity events, and support of first responders - but it continued through the pandemic through the generosity of the VGK Foundation.

• Identify experts and follow their advice. Foley likes to be "the captain of the ship," as he said in one of his AFC Bournemouth introductory interviews, but in hockey, he made sure to lean heavily on his experts. He's been present - almost always attending scouting meetings and gathering insight - but quick to deflect praise for the Golden Knights' success to President of Hockey Operations George McPhee and General Manager Kelly McCrimmon.

• An incredible desire to win. When it comes down to it, all of the attributes above come down to one thing: Bill Foley's drive to win. His hockey track record has shown that time and again - with an eye toward sustained success and not a quick fix.

As Foley often says: Always Advance, Never Retreat.