Indianapolis is going after a Major League Soccer team — but without the Indy Eleven.

Why it matters: The city is betting big on bringing MLS to town with the backing of an unnamed group of investors ready to take on ownership of the team and willing to pay the estimated $500 million expansion fee.

• In doing so, the city is walking away from a proposed partnership with Keystone Development Group and the Indy Eleven, a member of the United Soccer League.
• Keystone has already broken ground on Eleven Park, a $1.5 billion mixed-use project along the White River that is supposed to include a 20,000-seat soccer stadium.

Driving the news: The city filed a resolution with the Metropolitan Development Commission on Wednesday to create a new professional sports development area for the proposed soccer stadium on the southeast side of downtown.

• The stadium would be located on the south side of Washington Street, likely encompassing parking lots in the area and the former jail on Maryland Street that's been decommissioned and slated for redevelopment.

State of play: In order to be an attractive candidate for an MLS expansion team, city officials say they need a publicly funded and supported soccer stadium and an ownership group that can manage the franchise and pay the expansion fee.

• Mayor Joe Hogsett said he met with MLS commissioner Don Garber in New York on Monday to tell the league that Indianapolis is ready to meet both requirements and will be filing an application.

Reality check: The MLS has not announced any plans to expand beyond its current 30 teams.

How it works: The professional sports development area is the mechanism to fund the construction of a soccer stadium.

• A stadium would only be built, though, with the guarantee of an MLS team.

The intrigue: The MDC already approved a professional sports development area last year for the Eleven Park project.

Catch up quick: State lawmakers passed legislation in 2019 paving the way for a professional soccer stadium, after years of lobbying from Keystone founder and owner Ersal Ozdemir, who also owns the Indy Eleven.

Between the lines: The city didn't think Keystone could finance their project, so leaders leveraged the 2019 law to find another path to an MLS team.

What they're saying: "This is more than disappointing," Keystone said in a statement. "It's a shocking reversal of Mayor Hogsett's public support for this project."

What's next

Over the past 10 years, PopCon Indy has grown from a scrappy Kickstarter campaign to an annual springtime staple at the Indiana Convention Center.

Why it matters: Today, the pop culture convention returns for its 11th year with its biggest lineup of celebs, vendors and attractions yet.

• In addition to a film festival, live podcasting and cosplay contests, this year's event features afterparties with live music and opportunities to hone content creation skills.

💭 Justin's thought bubble: PopCon 2024's voice actor lineup is top tier with the voices of Gohan, Solid Snake and Arthur Morgan in the house. But for me, the standout is Johnny Yong Bosch.

• I credit "Trigun" as the show that cemented me as an anime fan in the late 90s, and Bosch's dynamic performance as leading man Vash the Stampede is one I can still quote nearly word for word.

If you go: PopCon Indy is open 1-7pm today, 10:30am-7pm tomorrow and 10:30am-5pm Sunday.

• Daily passes start at $30 for today and tomorrow, and $40 for Saturday. Three-day general admission starts at $60.

Frodo, "Breaking Bad" and more highlights

💸 Gubernatorial candidate Brad Chambers' real estate development company has missed two deadlines to repay loans made by the city of Indianapolis to help finance the CityWay project. (IndyStar & Mirror Indy)

🕊️ More than a dozen protesters were arrested outside the governor's residence yesterday after blocking traffic, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. (FOX59)

🏗️ An Amazon subsidiary announced plans to build an $11 billion data center in New Carlisle.

• It will bring more than 1,000 jobs, according to state officials. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)

After bouncing back from a Game 1 blowout and making their first postseason victory in six years a commanding one, the Pacers return to Gainbridge Fieldhouse this weekend for two big games.

What's happening: The No. 6 seed Pacers host the No. 3 seed Bucks tonight and Sunday as the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs rolls on.

• The best-of-seven series is tied at 1-1.
• It's the first playoff meeting between the two teams in 24 years.
• If the Pacers win the series, it'll be the first time in a decade the team moves past the first round.

Zoom in: Midseason acquisition Pascal Siakam was the difference-maker in Game 2, leading the Pacers with 37 points and 11 rebounds.

How to watch: Game 3 starts at 5:30pm tonight and Game 4 at 7pm Sunday, both on TNT and streamable via Sling TV.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will take over Monument Circle tomorrow for a day of free live music, food trucks and performances.

What's happening: The inaugural Symphony on the Circle starts at 11am.

• An outdoor stage will feature live dance and music performances throughout the day.
• Hilbert Circle Theatre will be open from noon to 3pm for family-friendly activities including an "instrument petting zoo."
• The event culminates in a livestream of the ISO performing sea-inspired music from Elgar, Mendelssohn and Debussy, 5:30-7:30pm.

More things to do