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Jay Farner, former Rocket CEO, makes landmark investment in DCFC
Jay Farner, former Rocket CEO, makes landmark investment in DCFC
Andrew Graham, Special to The Detroit NewsMon, Jul 13, 2026·3 min readJay Farner, the founder of Ronin Capital Partners and the former CEO of Rocket Companies, is making “the largest single investment in the club’s history” to Detroit City FC, the club announced Monday.
The exact amount of the investment wasn’t disclosed. It is being made to DCFC Holdings via Ronin Sports & Entertainment Group, the firm's sports investment division.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAs part of the move, Farner will also take a role on the board of directors for DCFC Holdings.
The landmark investment will aid construction of DCFC’s new stadium, located at the site of the former Southwest Detroit Hospital, among other things.
“With the continued growth of the United Soccer League (USL) and an amazing permanent stadium on the horizon, Detroit City FC is uniquely positioned for success,” Farner said in a statement.
“We believe Ronin’s vast experience in marketing, sports sponsorships and live events will help strengthen the club even more. At Ronin, we have a passion for athletics and for soccer with our COO, Nicole Vallianatos, being a former Division 1 soccer player. We are confident this passion, investment and long-term commitment will help to further secure Detroit City FC’s future.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDetroit City FC’s stadium project, a $150-million, 15,000-seat arena called AlumniFi Field, is set to open in 2028 ahead of the USL season. It was previously slated to open in 2027, but the project experienced numerous delays due to environmental cleanup and a death on the site prior to demolition of the old hospital.
The seven-acre property was purchased in 2024 for $6.5 million by an entity connected to DCFC.
The stadium development, per the release, “will anchor a broader $200 million mixed-use development building on recent historic investments in the Corktown and Mexicantown neighborhoods.”
DCFC will construct a 421-space parking garage and a residential building with 104 units, 76 being advertised as affordable housing units.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAccording to the release, DCFC already has nearly 6,000 deposits for seats in the new stadium. It also notes the stadium project is anticipated to create upwards of 1,000 construction jobs and 140 full-time jobs.
“As longtime residents of this neighborhood, we are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to bring this site back to life with a community-rooted stadium that will be the forever home for professional soccer in this region,” DCFC CEO Sean Mann said in a statement.
“Jay’s investment and belief in this project — and in Detroit — is exactly the kind of partnership that accelerates what we’re building. He understands this city, has built something lasting here, and we’re thrilled to have him at the table.”
Earlier this summer, Detroit City FC shared the first renderings of the stadium's interior, produced by Disbrow Iannuzzi Architects. They’ve been tasked with designing all concourses, public spaces, and premium hospitality and team areas, which is around 170,000 square feet worth of space.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with the design of the stadium’s interior for this singular sports club,” David Iannuzzi, a founding partner of the firm, said in a statement at the time.
“Our goal is to channel the ingenuity and passion of the DCFC faithful directly back into the fan experience. With our experience creating genuine and unique hospitality and sports environments, we are focused on creating a space that feels authentic to the city of Detroit and the spirit of Le Rouge.”
Disbrow Iannuzzi, a Ferndale-based firm, has designed other notable sporting-community spaces, such as Titletown, the area around Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Andrew Graham is a freelance writer.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Jay Farner, former Rocket CEO, makes landmark investment in DCFC