The once dream of a permanent soccer stadium in Indianapolis seemed to be actually happening, but in the last 6 months, that dream seems even more distant and could spell the end for the club
Given the high profile and on-field success Indy Eleven has enjoyed, it is highly unlikely the USL would kick it out of the Championship in 2026 or beyond. Instead, it's in EVERYBODY'S interest for the mystery billionaire MLS group to reach a mutually satisfying deal with Orsal Ezdemir and his group, e.g. including him in the ownership of the new MLS team, or the city paying him $$$ to buy back the Diamond Point site. The USL would not want to jeopardize the latter; instead it would show that USL Championship ownership can be highly profitable even when MLS threatens.
However, a few questions for you, Brett:
1. How could Orsal have handled this better? Do you think he was truly blindsided by the bodies/problems at Diamond Point and the sudden shift by the city?
2. Why so much mystery around the potential billionaire candidate owner of the MLS side? Do you think he/she is having second thoughts, given the backlash?
3. Are you able to secure an interview with Chuck Surack to get his thoughts on the situation? And why he decided to go invest during this time of turmoil?
It's an interesting situation that shouldn't have gotten to this stage. Your points are valid, USL-C can't just ignore their own commands/issues for the league regardless of Indy's success. Definitely something to keep an eye on:
1. I think the issue with Orsal's plan was to rely too much on City and state funding. Opening up this situation in the first place. According to many closer to this ordeal, have let us know that they were aware of the cemetery and the bodies there. So the city is looking for more private funding, and to properly right the wrong that was the bodies at the cemetery.
2. I think they are waiting until the land is ready. Certain there are some NDAs involved until the deal is ready - if it's even an actual proposal and ownership group.
3. Nah, I am not that good to get any interviews haha appreciate thinking I could!
To clarify, Orsal was "aware of the cemetery and the bodies there." when he first bought the Diamond Point property? And thought that the city would take care of it?
Per my understanding, they knew about the bodies but were unaware of exactly how many bodies would be found. The numbers were vastly under reported, hence the many delays to the current Eleven Park. Not confirmed, just something I've heard
The current owner wants MLS, so outside of Miami (until new stadium is built), I don't see a modular stadium working for the XI. Lucas Oil is out of the question. There COULD be a play at the Kuntz stadium after renovations - it's rumored to be renovated to have a Major League Rugby team. Those are the options outside of the Heliport or Diamond Chain without massive investment from the city/state as the owner cannot afford a modular stadium downtown
I think Brett's point is that the main cost of a modular stadium is still the land on which it sits. That land has to be either owned outright or ceded by the city government (as what is being granted to the Oakland Roots, the parking lots of the dismal soon-to-be-abandoned Coliseum). In Indy 11's case, that land owned by the Orsal is now viewed as "unbuildable" due to the many bodies buried there. And the city is now refusing to grant Orsal an alternative plot of choice land to build on.
The modular stadium itself costs only a few million, as I understand. But the land on which it sits, can cost many tens of millions, if you factor in the infrastructure, improvement/remediation, and other acquisition costs so often requires public subsidies. And that's without human bodies buried within!
Hard to feel sorry for anything usl related... They are trying the same thing more or less in Milwaukee but to suggest current owner who's busted his balls to sell...come awn.
Would be nice if us governing body had some balls to build it right but mls too powerful
Given the high profile and on-field success Indy Eleven has enjoyed, it is highly unlikely the USL would kick it out of the Championship in 2026 or beyond. Instead, it's in EVERYBODY'S interest for the mystery billionaire MLS group to reach a mutually satisfying deal with Orsal Ezdemir and his group, e.g. including him in the ownership of the new MLS team, or the city paying him $$$ to buy back the Diamond Point site. The USL would not want to jeopardize the latter; instead it would show that USL Championship ownership can be highly profitable even when MLS threatens.
However, a few questions for you, Brett:
1. How could Orsal have handled this better? Do you think he was truly blindsided by the bodies/problems at Diamond Point and the sudden shift by the city?
2. Why so much mystery around the potential billionaire candidate owner of the MLS side? Do you think he/she is having second thoughts, given the backlash?
3. Are you able to secure an interview with Chuck Surack to get his thoughts on the situation? And why he decided to go invest during this time of turmoil?
Thanks!!
It's an interesting situation that shouldn't have gotten to this stage. Your points are valid, USL-C can't just ignore their own commands/issues for the league regardless of Indy's success. Definitely something to keep an eye on:
1. I think the issue with Orsal's plan was to rely too much on City and state funding. Opening up this situation in the first place. According to many closer to this ordeal, have let us know that they were aware of the cemetery and the bodies there. So the city is looking for more private funding, and to properly right the wrong that was the bodies at the cemetery.
2. I think they are waiting until the land is ready. Certain there are some NDAs involved until the deal is ready - if it's even an actual proposal and ownership group.
3. Nah, I am not that good to get any interviews haha appreciate thinking I could!
To clarify, Orsal was "aware of the cemetery and the bodies there." when he first bought the Diamond Point property? And thought that the city would take care of it?
Per my understanding, they knew about the bodies but were unaware of exactly how many bodies would be found. The numbers were vastly under reported, hence the many delays to the current Eleven Park. Not confirmed, just something I've heard
Can he not afford to get a modular stadium built or something similar?
The current owner wants MLS, so outside of Miami (until new stadium is built), I don't see a modular stadium working for the XI. Lucas Oil is out of the question. There COULD be a play at the Kuntz stadium after renovations - it's rumored to be renovated to have a Major League Rugby team. Those are the options outside of the Heliport or Diamond Chain without massive investment from the city/state as the owner cannot afford a modular stadium downtown
I think Brett's point is that the main cost of a modular stadium is still the land on which it sits. That land has to be either owned outright or ceded by the city government (as what is being granted to the Oakland Roots, the parking lots of the dismal soon-to-be-abandoned Coliseum). In Indy 11's case, that land owned by the Orsal is now viewed as "unbuildable" due to the many bodies buried there. And the city is now refusing to grant Orsal an alternative plot of choice land to build on.
The modular stadium itself costs only a few million, as I understand. But the land on which it sits, can cost many tens of millions, if you factor in the infrastructure, improvement/remediation, and other acquisition costs so often requires public subsidies. And that's without human bodies buried within!
then they should team up with the Rugby team and help get the stadium renovated and share it.
Hard to feel sorry for anything usl related... They are trying the same thing more or less in Milwaukee but to suggest current owner who's busted his balls to sell...come awn.
Would be nice if us governing body had some balls to build it right but mls too powerful