(INDIANAPOLIS) – A Senate committee has approved state financing for a soccer stadium, but not necessarily for the Indy Eleven.
The Indy Eleven has been lobbying for state financing to build a stadium as the centerpiece of a retail and residential development. The Eleven would build the stadium and the surrounding “Eleven Park,” while the Capital Improvement Board would own and operate the stadium. The CIB operates the Colts’ and Pacers’ arenas under a similar arrangement, with a slice of taxes collected in and around the stadiums redirected to the board to cover stadium costs.
The bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee authorizes similar financing — for a Major League Soccer team. The Eleven play in the United Soccer League, a step down from MLS. Appropriations Chairman Ryan Mishler says the Eleven’s declared goal has been to bring major-league soccer to Indianapolis, and the bill follows that goal. He suggests the prospect of a new stadium might entice an existing MLS franchise to relocate.
The Eleven isn’t commenting beyond a prepared statement thanking senators for recognizing the sport needs a permanent home in Indiana. The team says it’ll keep talking to legislators as the process continues.
The Eleven was a semifinalist for an MLS expansion team in 2017, but the slots went to Cincinnati and Nashville. Last month, the league reached its declared goal of 28 teams with the announcement of a team in Austin.
The Eleven currently plays its home games in Lucas Oil Stadium.
The stadium provision was tucked into a bill extending financing for the fieldhouse if the Pacers extend their lease. The bill would also raise money to add a giant new ballroom to the Convention Center.
(Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
