Listen, I’m a little bit rock and roll, but this story is a bit too much for my achy breaky heart to take. It’s the tale of two teams, one city, and a decision that’s got everyone talking. This story has everything for chaos merchants like me. Derailed stadium dreams, greed, and a political backstabbing that threatens to leave the city’s originals in the dust.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett has completely backtracked on not only a promise but an ongoing project worth $1 billion. If you didn’t know, Indianapolis has a USL team called Indy Eleven. They’re one of the best funded, most supported teams in the US’ second tier regularly averaging over 10,000 in attendance.
Because of their success and local support, the mayor Joe Hogsett had been an outspoken supporter of the Indy Eleven project, including an appearance at the groundbreaking ceremony for the aforementioned $1 billion facility that includes a 20,000 seat soccer-specific stadium called Eleven Park.
But a few weeks ago that same mayor Joe Hogsett flew to New York City to meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber. Now, why is this meeting a big deal? Right now MLS expansion spots are like gold mines in American soccer, and they don’t just hand these out at the corner store. We’re talking about joining an elite (read: wealthy) circle, becoming part of a league that looks to be an excellent monetary investment (for us investors with $500 million or more). And the mayor, he’s not just there in NYC to chat about the weather or the Knicks; he’s there to pitch Indianapolis as the next big thing in MLS.
On Thursday, Mayor Joe formally announced plans to bring a Major League Soccer expansion club to the city. Hogsett said explained that he flew to New York to meet with MLS commissioner Don Garber and see if the league would consider Indianapolis as a potential new market.
“As a result of that conversation, I am today informing Indianapolis that, as mayor, I will be leading an effort to file an MLS application and pursue an MLS club,” Hogsett announced at a press conference. “I am well aware that this new venture will present no guarantee, but every great achievement in our city’s history has begun where opportunity was met with action.”
Here’s where it gets spicy. To get into MLS, it’s likely going to cost at least a whopping $500 million expansion fee. That’s the same amount San Diego FC agreed to pay to get their spot at the MLS table set for 2025. This is the kind of investment that shakes up a city’s sports scene. There’s only one very huge problem…
The current local team, Indy Eleven, beloved local heroes who are knee-deep in developing within city limits, look to have not been included in these discussions. Suddenly, despite his previous support the mayor is now singing a different tune—a tune that could potentially leave Indy Eleven and their fans out in the cold.
In a response press release from Keystone Group, the developers working with Indy Eleven, they called the mayor's new plan “troubling.” and continued:
“Unfortunately, after years of good-faith negotiations and recent bipartisan approvals from the City-County Council, Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration is preparing to walk away from the state and city leaders who entrusted him with this project and the neighborhoods who are depending on the progress Eleven Park.”
And who can blame them? It's like planning a lavish wedding only to have your partner bail for a supposedly better offer right after sending out the invites.
By advocating for a new, separate MLS expansion team and a different stadium, the mayor’s actions can feel like a complete about-face from his previous support of the Indy Eleven project.
Imagine you’re part of Indy Eleven or one of their fans, and you’ve just watched millions being poured into a project that’s supposed to be the next big step for your team and your city. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, there's a complete betrayal of commitments. Another team, another stadium, and another set of investments, all backed by the city that was supposed to be supporting you. Make no mistake, this feels like a shakespearean betrayal.
This isn’t just about a new team coming in; it’s about potentially undermining a project that many people have already put their trust and dollars into. It raises big questions: What happens to the Indy Eleven project now? Will there be enough support and enthusiasm for both? Or does this move by the mayor suggest that Indy Eleven might get sidelined in favor of this new, shinier project?
Indy 11 is already a team that has a fervently loyal fan base, they’ve been pulling in great crowds, and they’ve got history in the city. And now, there’s this cloud of uncertainty hanging over their future. The fans are rightly outraged. They see this as a betrayal by the mayor, a backstabbing for bigger bucks.
There’s a sense that instead of elevating the local team to the next level, the city might just sideline them for a new, glitzier project. And honestly, it feels like the plot of every sports underdog movie, except this one ends with the little giant's fumblerooski backfiring.
So, what’s driving this? Is it just the allure of MLS? Or is there something deeper, some play of city politics and big money investments that we're not fully seeing? It's like peeling an onion here, layers upon layers of complexity and, yes, a few tears for the fans.
Now I do want to provide a counterpoint, and it’s one that is extremely well written from a local opinion piece in the Indianapolis Star by James Briggs:
“Indy Eleven attracts an average attendance of less than half that would-be capacity. Think about that. Until this week, the city and state were fully on board with a plan by Ozdemir to anchor a $1.5 billion development around a soccer stadium twice as large as his team needs.
Also, to state the obvious, Indy Eleven is a minor league team, a shaky status for long-term endurance. Indy Eleven has strong, passionate supporters and a cool culture. But the team is a niche, small-scale entertainment product that the vast majority of Indianapolis doesn't care about.”
Indianapolis is at a crossroads. It’s about more than just soccer; it’s about community, loyalty, and the spirit of the sport. Will the city embrace its grassroots football culture, or will it chase the bright lights of MLS, consequences be damned?
Thanks so much for reading. If you enjoyed this and want to support my content while wearing some amazing soccer clothes, check out my new shop reallygoodclothes. My favorite is this hat. It’s nice.
Thanks, Jake. I think there is a lot more to this story we don’t know. Everyone likes to make the MLS the bad guy because they are the 800 pound gorilla. I am not so sure that is the case here.