Looks like Charlotte will now be putting in a bid for a Major League Soccer team even without the city on board.
Last week, the county voted to approve the $175-million stadium deal, but the city then voted it down, saying that it needed more time to consider.
In spite of the city council member’s recent vote, Marcus Smith just tweeted this out, confirming that he will be moving forward with Mecklenburg County and his team of investors:
Applying tomorrow! #MLS4CLT City has time to consider investment of existing tourism $ in project. County/Team would match city $3:$1 Smart!
— Marcus Smith (@MarcusSMI) January 30, 2017
If the MLS selects Charlotte to host the new team, Smith and his investors will be paying the $150 million entry fee for a team and $87.5 million toward the new stadium (using a $75 million loan from the county).
The new 20,000-seat stadium would be built on the county-owned property that’s now occupied by Memorial Stadium and the Grady Cole Center. The county would continue to own the 16-acre site as well as the new MLS stadium.
How do you feel about Major League Soccer coming to Charlotte?