Indy doing "everything right," but no MLS expansion plans
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MLS Commissioner Don Garber talking to reporters Wednesday night. Photo: Arika Herron/Axios
Indianapolis is "doing everything right" to bring Major League Soccer to town, said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Why it matters: Mayor Joe Hogsett is bullish on his plans to land an MLS team, coordinating with private investors who would form an ownership group and committing to building a soccer-specific stadium downtown.
- Hogsett told reporters in Columbus he hopes to have Indy's application in before the end of the year.
Yes, but: The league has been mum on what a timeline for expansion may look like.
- During a press conference before the MLS All-Star game Wednesday night, Garber said that once San Diego launches as the league's 30th team next year, it's "going to be the end of expansion for a period of time … until it's time to expand again."
- "There isn't a specific plan to expand," he said, but added that the league would "consider strongly" expanding beyond 30 teams for the right market.
Catch up quick: Hogsett surprised many (and angered some) when he came out earlier this year with a plan to build a soccer-specific stadium on the southeast side of downtown, effectively cutting out the city's existing team.
- Indy Eleven owner and developer Ersal Ozdemir had already broken ground on a multi-use project that was to be anchored by a 20,000-seat stadium.
- Ultimately, the City-County Council voted to move forward with Hogsett's proposed site and created a new taxing district to help fund stadium construction.
What they're saying: "I think it's likely, down the road, we'll consider expanding again," Clark Hunt, owner of FC Dallas and member of the MLS Board of Governors, said yesterday. "Clearly, a city like Indianapolis that is a proven sports town would have to be a great candidate."
Between the lines: Some sources close to the league have speculated that expansion talks may be on ice until after the U.S. hosts the 2026 World Cup, after which expansion fees could grow.
- San Diego, the last city to land a team, paid $500 million.
- "The World Cup is clearly some version of a game changer," said Tom Penn, one of the founding partners of San Diego FC. "The question would maybe be what is the appropriate time to expand further in relation to the World Cup, or other factors, too."
How much will the next expansion fee cost, if and when the league adds more teams? "More than $500 million," Garber said.
Zoom in: Garber said a "great stadium project," solid ownership and local support — from the business community and elected officials — are key to making a successful expansion bid.
What's next: The city's taxing district, known as a professional sports development area, must go to the State Budget Committee.