• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Indianapolis Officially Vying for MLS Expansion Team

  • The mayor announced plans to officially bid for an MLS team after talking with the commissioner.
  • The city is already constructing a mixed-use development with a new soccer stadium for its USL team.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis is having quite a month between signing Caitlin Clark to the Fever and the Pacers getting their first playoff win since 2018. Looking to keep the good times rolling, the city announced Thursday its plans to bid for an MLS expansion team.

The city is currently developing a new $1 billion mixed-use facility called Eleven Park that will house a stadium for its USL team, Indy Eleven. The team unsuccessfully sought promotion to MLS in 2017 and ’19. Hours before Mayor Joe Hogsett unveiled his MLS dreams, Eleven Park’s developer accused him of “preparing to walk away” from the project. The area is set to include apartments, a music venue, retail, and offices, and developers say Indy Eleven should be ready to play there by summer ’25.

The mayor said he submitted a new proposal with the city to put a soccer stadium downtown that included a possible ownership group and plan for public funding. Hogsett said he flew to New York City on Monday, and he felt confident announcing the planned bid after his conversation with MLS commissioner Don Garber.

“I am well aware that this new venture presents no guarantee, but every great achievement in our city’s history has begun where opportunity was met with action,” Hogsett said.

Indianapolis will certainly have to pay up as MLS team valuations are on the rise. The $500 million price tag on the league’s next expansion team in San Diego set an MLS record in May 2023. The club will become the league’s 30th team when it kicks off in ’25.

Hogsett said “an experienced and well-respected sports executive, who has held leadership roles in MLS and global soccer” was at the helm of the investor group. That exec is Tom Glick, The Athletic reports, who left Chelsea in November after serving as the club’s president of business. Glick has also held the roles of president of Tepper Sports & Entertainment (the group that owns the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC), president of New York City FC, and chief commercial officer of Manchester City.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Calais Campbell (middle) receives the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award from executive director Lloyd Howell (left) and president) JC Tretter (right) at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII.
July 18, 2025

What Comes Next After NFLPA Chief’s Sudden Resignation?

Howell quit on his own accord; he was not forced out.
July 18, 2025

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 18, 2025

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.
Lloyd Howell
July 18, 2025

Scandal-Ridden NFLPA Chief Lloyd Howell Quits

The union executive director stepped down late Thursday night.
July 17, 2025

Unrivaled Founder Says Growing League Has ‘No Conflict’ With WNBA

Alex Bazzell co-founded Unrivaled with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
exclusive
July 17, 2025

WNBA, Union Make Little Progress on CBA at All-Star Meeting

Over 40 players showed up for labor negotiations with the league.