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The Orlando City local government bought a parcel of land for $8.2 million dollars. In an interview with local channel-9 news, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer revealed where the proposed stadium would be built and who would pay for the stadium.
Some are not pleased with Dyer’s gamble, but he hopes others will see what he is attempting to do. Currently, a bill is working its way through the Fla. Legislature that would qualify MLS teams to receive funding to build new stadiums. NBA, MLB, and NHL teams in Fla. are given these benefits. Orlando City FC would be expected to contribute between $80 and $100 million, and the local government might kick in the tourist development tax to assist with stadium costs.
Some local officials are against using money from the tax to help, but if you have a successful team then people will come. Basically, this stadium could bring tourist into town and boost the local economy. If they were smart, they would try to build some commercial properties nearby to capitalize on the incoming traffic.
As for the soccer team, Orlando currently plays in the USL Pro. Just yesterday, they set a league attendance record. Unlike some current MLS teams, I do not see Orlando having an issue getting fans to games and filling the stadium. Past MLS Fla. teams have failed to succeed, but if Orlando were to come to the MLS, I don’t see that happening. They have the investors and the fan base. The fans would only grow if they became an MLS team.
If Mayor Dyer’s plan were to succeed, Orlando could be announced as an MLS expansion team in December. MLS Commissioner Don Garber does want soccer specific stadiums and Orlando would potentially have one. It seems like Orlando is facing less roadblocks than a second NY team is at the moment.
Phil Naegely is a Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Like him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @pnaegelyRS and add him to your circles on Google.
