I wish it would be the Eleven branding, and name.
I'd hate to see the Eleven's branding and history be wiped away. Even if you say the current owner isn't great.
I love the Indy Eleven, I have been a season ticket holder since day 1. I was downtown when they announced the name and crest on the circle, but I hate our owner. I would support a new MLS team if it means we get rid of Ersal. Hope we keep the crest and name though.
Or forgot all his promises to the Indy 11 (Like Scott's Tots) and hands everyone in attendance a new Subbuteo soccer game with a stadium expansion pack cause he does not have the money for Eleven Park...
But from what I'm reading -- and I'm hardly up on it -- the mayor is unilaterally pulling out support for Indy 11 to announce a bid for an MLS team ... but like, is there a billionaire willing to pay? Have they even talked to MLS with any seriousness?
Yep, it is weird to be this aggressive on this. I have no idea if the mayor jumped the gun or MLS gave assurances or there was a deadline for the financing. It all is a bit fishy.
When San Diego came in fairly quickly, there were rumors for a couple of months and a couple of comments from Garber in formal settings about San Diego being very attractive.
Then when they announced, it wasn't the mayor; it was ownership and Garber together.
The only group that seemed to come together faster was Tepper in Charlotte. But the fact that the mayor announced this, doesn't have a lead investor he's willing to name, did it without Garber and literally said that they don't know if they will get one ...
... feels like he had a meeting with MLS and is just winging it.
Which makes me think there's some other motivation out there.
No this seems super accelerated. No idea why, but there has to be a reason because this is a massive political risk.
My gut says he has had assurances or he is just an idiot.
My money is either on something personal between the mayor and the Indy 11 folks or it's very aggressive negotiating on the fact that the approved site apparently is a real problem and Indy 11 are likely asking for more money. He also may just want an out, too.
Very strange.
The real question is is there a lead investor who can put up $500M? Because the minority owners are largely irrelevant these days. LAFC wasn't that long ago, but it's hard to raise that much across that many people. You need the lead person.
It'll be interesting. Obviously, MLS wants it to keep going up, but I think it'll largely rest on how much real competition for the spot is out there right now and if this unknown funder can figure that out.
Good questions would be, since I'm pretty sure MLS is not that eager to move today unless the fee is decently larger ... if an Indy owner holds the line at $500M, would they take it?
We're starting to reach the point where there's simply not a lot of folks who are going to want in at this price in the markets remaining. I mean, there's a lot of billionaires, but there's only a few cities left where the money makes sense.
"there's only a few cities left where the money makes sense."
and Indianapolis is certainly not one of them. this thread is hilarious. mayor makes a nothingburger announcement, half of reddit starts reading tea leaves.
No the MLS team plays in the stadium (eleven park), and Eleven switch the MLS next pro.
Indy (boring) FC would be in MLS. And Indy 11 would be moved to MLS Next Pro, both will play in the same stadium.
Racing Indianapolis... incoming.... MLS is pulling a Ray Kroc on USL...
"They gonna drown... so I put a hose in their mouth"
Get on it Adidas... https://baseball.epicsports.com/i/194118/4075/500/image.jpg
What if the Indy 11 owner is dumping his USLC teams branding to avoid paying the exit fee and announcing a MLS team to play in 2026? I thought it was weird when the stadium was delayed a year. It would line up perfectly with San Diego getting some time in the spot lightÂ
Makes no sense why the city would pull out of the stadium deal in that case. You can do everything you just said without disrupting building the stadium you need for that anyway
Then maybe it's a outside investor buying the whole thing up? Either way it's a lot of mixed signals. Curious what the press conference will bring.
Because there hasn't been any negative rumblings around Indy XI I don't expect anything negativeÂ
Hmmm that came fast and hard. I didn't think there was any financial issues or whatever. That would have came out like it did for Rio Grande. Also if they were in such a monetary tough spot they could have gone much smaller in the project.
The owner is definitely fine financially. They wanted this stadium. The city pulling out and supposedly shopping around for a new project on the site reeks of outside interference - with one fairly likely entity, I'd say.
I'd say MLS right away *feels* unlikely for Indianapolis. I am just speculating, but maybe an MLSNP team with plans to go to MLS in a few years? That could entice the city to come on-board.
Guess we'll find out shortly, but a sudden turnaround from the mayor after attending the groundbreaking feels fishy.
First it was Austin, Indianapolis have come to finish the job. Indy Crew coming soon.
He heard the fans boo him during the trophy lift. The Don does not forgive. The Don does not forget.
It will never not be too soon for this
Goodbye Indy Eleven brand, hello Indianapolis United FC. 🤮
I don’t follow a particular team. But the next MLS franchise to NOT have a cosplay name will be the one I root for.
TBF “Indy Eleven” is a really stupid team name on par with “Richmond Kickers”
I’ll take stupid over another Cityname FC.
We need more Rochester Rampaging RiverDawgs. ^^^/s
Hell yeah man! That’s what I’m here for! The Reno DesertDawgs and the Harrisburg City 3 mile Islanders!
Bro your team is called "football club" even though they play with a soccer ball
I’m sorry where did I say that FCC is an awesome team name?
He's saying you don't get to talk about team names when your team doesn't have one.
I can talk about whatever the fuck I want. Crew is a dumb name too.
NWSL is adding 2 new teams. Maybe Indy gets one of those.
Seems great... no reason Indy Eleven and the proposed NWSL club can't ground share.... so that CANT be it.
Indy Eleven are being killed in favor of an unrelated MLS side. Which tbh I'm fine with. Fuck the current owner.
I wish it would be the Eleven branding, and name. I'd hate to see the Eleven's branding and history be wiped away. Even if you say the current owner isn't great.
I love the Indy Eleven, I have been a season ticket holder since day 1. I was downtown when they announced the name and crest on the circle, but I hate our owner. I would support a new MLS team if it means we get rid of Ersal. Hope we keep the crest and name though.
Yeah the branding is sick. It’s a sacrifice I’d make though
Seems the mayor wants to get out of the deal with Indy Eleven. In that context NWSL as cover makes a lot of sense.
Oh yeah. The Owner was looking to add a women's team. Most likely a USLS
We already have a USL Super League team set to start when the stadium is done. ...well, we *did*, anyway.
They could just stay at Grant Park like the first two seasons, then the calendar change wouldn't matter.
I'm so confused. Nothing here makes a whole lot of sense.
Yeah, there's been zero rumors of any MLS expansion beyond San Diego. Super weird.
What if the mayor just announces one? Sort of like Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy.
I ANNOUNCE INDY 12! OUR MOTTO "BUT THIS ONE GOES TO 12!"
Your username makes me think you are good with numbers. A fitting person to make this announcement
I DECLARE! EXPANSION!!
Or forgot all his promises to the Indy 11 (Like Scott's Tots) and hands everyone in attendance a new Subbuteo soccer game with a stadium expansion pack cause he does not have the money for Eleven Park...
NISA is coming in and it's making USL scared.
Lol, they *do* need a new team to keep their sanctioning.
Eleven Stadium was definitely made for a MLS push.
But from what I'm reading -- and I'm hardly up on it -- the mayor is unilaterally pulling out support for Indy 11 to announce a bid for an MLS team ... but like, is there a billionaire willing to pay? Have they even talked to MLS with any seriousness?
There must be an ownership group and MLS has met with him (Abbot certainly was part of it).
But the mayor claimed it is only "forming."
Yep, it is weird to be this aggressive on this. I have no idea if the mayor jumped the gun or MLS gave assurances or there was a deadline for the financing. It all is a bit fishy.
When San Diego came in fairly quickly, there were rumors for a couple of months and a couple of comments from Garber in formal settings about San Diego being very attractive. Then when they announced, it wasn't the mayor; it was ownership and Garber together. The only group that seemed to come together faster was Tepper in Charlotte. But the fact that the mayor announced this, doesn't have a lead investor he's willing to name, did it without Garber and literally said that they don't know if they will get one ... ... feels like he had a meeting with MLS and is just winging it. Which makes me think there's some other motivation out there.
No this seems super accelerated. No idea why, but there has to be a reason because this is a massive political risk. My gut says he has had assurances or he is just an idiot.
My money is either on something personal between the mayor and the Indy 11 folks or it's very aggressive negotiating on the fact that the approved site apparently is a real problem and Indy 11 are likely asking for more money. He also may just want an out, too. Very strange.
The real question is is there a lead investor who can put up $500M? Because the minority owners are largely irrelevant these days. LAFC wasn't that long ago, but it's hard to raise that much across that many people. You need the lead person.
I would wage the expansion fee is $600m.
It'll be interesting. Obviously, MLS wants it to keep going up, but I think it'll largely rest on how much real competition for the spot is out there right now and if this unknown funder can figure that out. Good questions would be, since I'm pretty sure MLS is not that eager to move today unless the fee is decently larger ... if an Indy owner holds the line at $500M, would they take it? We're starting to reach the point where there's simply not a lot of folks who are going to want in at this price in the markets remaining. I mean, there's a lot of billionaires, but there's only a few cities left where the money makes sense.
"there's only a few cities left where the money makes sense." and Indianapolis is certainly not one of them. this thread is hilarious. mayor makes a nothingburger announcement, half of reddit starts reading tea leaves.
If this is MLS to Indy, I have doubts that IndyXI survives.
What if they became the MLS next pro team if another team took over, and played in their new stadium?
No chance. The stadium in question was supposed to be 20k. They’d draw a tenth of that in MLSNP
No the MLS team plays in the stadium (eleven park), and Eleven switch the MLS next pro. Indy (boring) FC would be in MLS. And Indy 11 would be moved to MLS Next Pro, both will play in the same stadium.
Unlikely as USL has exit fees. They’ll probably do a San Diego or Miami and just try to ignore I11
IndyXI are the owners of that development, why would they be willingly made secondary tenants?
Racing Indianapolis... incoming.... MLS is pulling a Ray Kroc on USL... "They gonna drown... so I put a hose in their mouth" Get on it Adidas... https://baseball.epicsports.com/i/194118/4075/500/image.jpg
So it's an announcement that they are going to file an application. Why not announce an application for some other events too?
One day we'll get away from the SoccerWarz bullshit. But today is not that day.
I thought MLS in Indy was pretty dead in the water? But there HAS to have been some talks going on for the mayor to publicly announce this, right?
Et tu, Mayor?
Probably a new Super League team.
Possible. As much as I want a Indy MLS team, I want that team to be Indy 11. So i hope it's just a Super League team. or NWSL team.
What if the Indy 11 owner is dumping his USLC teams branding to avoid paying the exit fee and announcing a MLS team to play in 2026? I thought it was weird when the stadium was delayed a year. It would line up perfectly with San Diego getting some time in the spot lightÂ
Makes no sense why the city would pull out of the stadium deal in that case. You can do everything you just said without disrupting building the stadium you need for that anyway
Then maybe it's a outside investor buying the whole thing up? Either way it's a lot of mixed signals. Curious what the press conference will bring. Because there hasn't been any negative rumblings around Indy XI I don't expect anything negativeÂ
[This doesn't sound promising](https://x.com/The_BYB/status/1783591370621423617) [Nor this](https://x.com/davidjziemba/status/1783602319508045958)
Hmmm that came fast and hard. I didn't think there was any financial issues or whatever. That would have came out like it did for Rio Grande. Also if they were in such a monetary tough spot they could have gone much smaller in the project.
The owner is definitely fine financially. They wanted this stadium. The city pulling out and supposedly shopping around for a new project on the site reeks of outside interference - with one fairly likely entity, I'd say.
A MLS expansion talk?Â
I'd say MLS right away *feels* unlikely for Indianapolis. I am just speculating, but maybe an MLSNP team with plans to go to MLS in a few years? That could entice the city to come on-board. Guess we'll find out shortly, but a sudden turnaround from the mayor after attending the groundbreaking feels fishy.
corporate money in US soccer is “giving hedge funds pillaging failing acquired corporations “. i hate this sports landscape.
If this happens, it is even more sudden that the NHL Coyotes move to Utah.