Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Higher-ups from Major League Soccer are in Charlotte for a first-hand look at the bid for an expansion team. Mike Collins talks with some of the players in the drive for big-league soccer.
Ready or not, the bid to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte is getting its close-up.
Mark Abbott, the league's president, arrived Tuesday to meet with Marcus Smith about the race track executive's pursuit of an MLS expansion team. The visit was "very positive and productive," Abbott said.
Not included on Tuesday's agenda: a discussion on the financing of a possible MLS stadium. That, however, will be the focus of a Charlotte City Council committee on Thursday. Councilman James Mitchell, chair of the economic development committee, has said there still aren't enough votes in favor of using city tourism tax dollars for a stadium.
In between these two milestones in the MLS bid, Mike Collins talks with the local group seeking the expansion team, as well as members of the City Council and county commission.
GUESTS
Mike Burch, chief strategy officer, MLS4CLT (@MLS4CLT)
Julie Eiselt, Charlotte City Council, vice-chair, economic development committee (@JulieEiselt)
Matthew Ridenhour, Mecklenburg County Commission, chair, economic development committee (@mridenhour)
Steven Goff, The Washington Post, Major League Soccer reporter (@SoccerInsider)