Legislation passed by the Indiana Senate makes money for a soccer stadium available only if the city gains a Major League Soccer franchise—but that same legislation could make it more likely the MLS gives it a team.
The Indiana Senate passed legislation Tuesday morning that would boost funding for Indianapolis’ Capital Improvement Board, keep the Indiana Pacers in town for at least another 25 years and provide support for a dedicated soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven.
Supporters of a proposal to build a permanent stadium for the Indy Eleven tried to make their case before key state lawmakers Thursday morning.
Republican and Democratic leaders of the City-County Council say they want the opportunity to fully debate a bill that would funnel state and local tax revenue to an 18,000-seat stadium that would be part of a larger mixed-use development.
The state’s top budget-writing senator doesn’t see a reason to schedule a hearing for a bill that would help fund a proposed soccer stadium for the Indy Eleven.
For the past six years, the Indy Eleven has been owned solely by Ersal Ozdemir, who also owns the Indianapolis development firm Keystone Corp. The addition of seven investors is expected help raise the team’s statewide profile.
Owner Ersal Ozdemir isn’t revealing possible locations for his $550 million Eleven Park project, but community leaders and other observers are bandying about lots of options.
The Republican governor did not take a position on an Indy Eleven plan to have state and local taxpayers fund a new stadium, but he said officials always need to embrace the future.
Stremlaw, a Boston native, comes to Indy Eleven from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp., where he oversaw the group’s sports coverage, including the Olympics and other high-profile events.
The Indy Eleven has expressed interest in the former Broad Ripple High School site as a potential location for its proposed stadium development, but the team tapped the brakes on that possibility Friday, noting it is continuing to evaluate multiple options.
The professional soccer team is pushing for a 20,000-seat stadium as part of a real estate district featuring lodging, office and retail space, an underground parking structure and apartments.
Jeff Belskus oversaw the team’s transition this year from the North America Soccer League to the much bigger United Soccer League, and its move to Lucas Oil Stadium for home games.
The crowd blew away the old single-game mark of 11,048 the Eleven drew for its very first game in April 2014.
No financial details were available early this morning, but the agreement comes just weeks after the team said it will switch leagues.
The Indy Eleven are joining the United Soccer League for the 2018 season, the team announced Wednesday, ending their four-year run in the North America Soccer League.
The pro soccer team is planning a press conference for Wednesday afternoon to address lingering questions about where and in which league it will play next season.
Officials with the soccer team are in ongoing discussions about the possibility of playing future games in Lucas Oil Stadium, while a soccer news website reports that the team will join the United Soccer League for its 2018 season.
Major League Soccer on Wednesday announced four finalists for the two expansion clubs it is scheduled to add by the end of the year. Indianapolis is not among the four, but MLS said the city could be considered for two other franchises it wants to add in the future.
Also, Joey Chestnut prepares to defend his shrimp-eating title in Indy, and the North American Soccer League suffers another blow.
Sacramento, Cincinnati and Nashville are finalists to land expansion clubs, according to a report from Sports Illustrated soccer writer Grant Wahl.
