Indy Eleven set for MLS Expansion as Billionaire Investor Restores Eleven Park
The latest twist in the Indy saga has saved Indy Eleven from demise but left the USL for dead.
UPDATE: Kartik Krishnaiyer’s sources indicate that this probably means that the stadium project shifts back to Eleven Park because MLS would need the consent of the new Indy Eleven partner to build around the area they were planning to build that. We will keep you posted on all developments.
Today, Indy Eleven announced that Fort Wayne-based Chuck Surack, founder and chairman of Sweetwater (sells instrumental equipment), has joined the club as a co-owner of the team and an investor in Eleven Park. This is a massive development for the club as originally, their existence seemed to be threatened by possible MLS expansion. However, with this investment, it seems that now Indy Eleven will be moving from the USL to the MLS.
In the club statement, it says that Surack has joined as an “investor in private development surrounding the planned MLS-eligible stadium”. That stadium is not the separate proposal of Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett and rather specifically Eleven Park. Team founder and owner Ersal Ozdemir proves this by his statement saying that he is “thrilled by his (Surack’s) personal commitment to the growth of professional soccer through the Indy Eleven and to the vision of Eleven Park as a neighborhood investment”.
Ozdemir’s next statement makes it seem like Indy Eleven’s plan was MLS expansion all along. He states “the addition of a Hoosier billionaire to an already strong Indy Eleven ownership group further solidifies our Indiana ownership group to bring MLS and the transformational riverfront development, Eleven Park, to Indianapolis”.
It is encouraging news that Indy Eleven are primed to exist no matter the change of leagues, but this is a tough pill to swallow for USL as one of their biggest markets and strongest fan bases will likely be leaving for MLS. It’s hard to believe that MLS expanding to Indianapolis had good intentions. It’s not that hard to believe that MLS is intentionally targeting USL’s strongest markets to weaken the league and control the US soccer pyramid (the league is rumored to expand to Tampa Bay and Detroit). However, it is a positive that the MLS initiative will be with an existing club and not through an expansion franchise.
There are still many questions, including if Eleven Park will have to be moved from their current site, which includes a cemetery, and if this investment gives the club the financials to get Mayor Hogsett back into negotiations with them. The Mayor has stated that a lack of funds led to the breakdown of the Eleven Park deal, and this will be explained soon in our second interview with Backyard Battalion (Indy Eleven supporters group ) President David Ziemba. While that interview does not cover this recent deal, it gives a lot of context to the goals of both MLS, Indy Eleven, state and city leaders, and the fans of the club. It will be out shortly, and we at BT90 will be in contact with Mr. Ziemba again to discuss this change in fate for Indy Eleven.
We’re still left with many questions, but it looks like Indy Eleven will live on and leave the USL Championship behind.
This is not good news. I thought they would stay loyal to USL. More important than ever that the NASL lawsuit is successful.