Indianapolis Mayor Discusses MLS Franchise Prospects with League Officials

Mayor Joe Hogsett recently met with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and other league executives to promote efforts aimed at securing a soccer club in Indianapolis. Discussions focused on the need for financing and site plans for a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Indianapolis, which MLS considers essential for any city vying for a franchise.

"Given Major League Soccer’s continued growth as a league, and soccer’s growth as a sport, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to position Indianapolis for success," Hogsett stated through a spokesperson. Despite this commitment, he did not clarify the potential site for the stadium in response to inquiries from IndyStar.

Reports from the Indianapolis Business Journal suggest the city may be considering an undisclosed area near Lucas Oil Stadium. Previously, plans involved acquiring the Indianapolis Downtown Heliport and adjacent land parcels; however, the decommissioning of the heliport has delayed progress, with the Federal Aviation Administration not yet providing a timeline for its decision.

As MLS prefers that bidding cities have stadiums dedicated specifically to soccer, Indianapolis officials indicated intentions to build a 20,000-seat stadium at 355 E. Pearl St. Stadiums typically require 10 to 25 acres of land. In a recent social media post, Garber confirmed his meeting with Hogsett and expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions regarding an MLS stadium in the city.

"I was encouraged by our conversation and appreciate the mayor’s leadership and commitment to pursuing a team for Indianapolis," Garber said, posting about their meeting alongside a photo.

Since local leaders expressed intentions to submit a franchise bid in 2024, Garber has shown a strong willingness to engage with Indianapolis officials, previously visiting the city to meet with state officials and local leaders. He will transition to a new commissioner, Larry Berg, at the end of the year.

As the city prepares for another legislative session in January, Hogsett aims to present a clear plan to MLS and local stakeholders in the coming weeks. Political support is critical, as the state Republican party holds a supermajority, impacting key funding decisions for the stadium. Earlier this year, former Senate leader Rod Bray expressed skepticism, remarking on the feasibility of the financial figures proposed.

While a proposed Professional Sports Development Area to facilitate funding for the stadium has advanced through local councils, it has remained stalled at the state level for over two years.

The city has not yet identified a potential club owner, acknowledging that joining the league could require investments of up to half a billion dollars, in addition to stadium costs. Despite these hurdles, MLS has maintained confidence in Indianapolis' potential to successfully assemble a bid, highlighting the city’s reputation as a prominent sports hub.

"The city has established itself as one of America's great sports cities, with a strong track record of hosting major events and a growing passion for soccer," Garber stated. "We look forward to continuing our conversations as the city's plans continue to take shape."

Alysa Guffey contributes business and development coverage for IndyStar.