Orlando Votes “Yes” to MLS Soccer
At 8.23pm tonight the Orange County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 in approval of funds for a new downtown, multi-purpose soccer stadium. With the funding plan now secure, Orlando City SC executives will now enter into final negotiations with Major League Soccer (MLS) to bring a franchise to Orlando.
“We are ecstatic about the positive vote,” said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. “Our fans have been the driving force behind the effort to bring MLS to Orlando. This one is for them.”
The vote approved the use of Tourist Development Tax (TDT) funds for multiple venues, including a soccer stadium. The City of Orlando unanimously approved the funding on October 7, completing the financial structure of the proposed soccer stadium.
Club officials have stated that, with approval of funding for a downtown stadium, a franchise could be awarded as early as November. The Lions would begin play in MLS in Spring 2015.
“We thank the Orange County and City of Orlando Board of Commissioners for their support to build a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando’” said MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott. “We also would like to thank Flavio Augusto da Silva, Phil Rawlins and their staff for their passion and commitment to bring a Major League Soccer team to Orlando. We look forward to working with the Orlando City SC ownership group to finalize an expansion agreement.”
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