Elected officials from Sacramento are proposing a host of financial packages, plus backing for a new stadium, to boost the city's chances of securing a Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchise, www.sportspromedia.com/.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg has announced a US$33 million package, which includes fee waivers, tax rebates, advertising rights and infrastructure financing, which was negotiated between city officials and Ron Burkle, who is seeking to own a MLS franchise in Sacramento.

The proposal includes plans to build a new, US$252 million MLS-standard stadium for the club, which will be privately funded. Burkle also has an agreement in place with the city to buy 31 acres of land to build the stadium, as well as various infrastructural upgrades.

The MLS board will meet in Los Angeles this month to discuss the next expansion team that will be added to MLS, making them the 28th franchise, with Sacramento and St. Louis currently the front-runners.

Steinberg told the Sacramento Bee: "We have demonstrated to the league that we want this. We are absolutely the right choice for the league."

The current soccer team in Sacramento is Sacramento Republic, who play in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship. Any MLS expansion team would be borne out of Republic, with the plan to retain the name in place.

Republic have been trying since 2015 to enter the MLS but to no avail. Now, with the additional financial muscle of Burkle and with the city's backing, the club could well be a MLS franchise in the near future.

Ben Gumpert, Republic's president said: "This partnership with the city is a final and big step prior to the board meeting that shows all the work we have done and [what] we have been able to create."