Indy Eleven move a step closer to $87 million stadium

The Indy Eleven moved a step closer Thursday to Statehouse support for a proposed $87 million Downtown soccer stadium.

By an 18-2 vote, the House Ways and Means Committee passed an amendment to Senate Bill 308, which addresses Allen County's professional sports development area. The bill now heads to the full House.

The amended bill would allow the Eleven to capture $2 million of tax revenue to help pay for the stadium. Team owner Ersal Ozdemir has projected that the stadium would generate $5.1 million annually in ticket-tax revenue, plus $4.1 million in sales and income tax.

Some lawmakers expressed reservations about the bill, stating there hasn't been adequate discussion.

In a statement distributed by the Eleven, Ozdemir said he "is pleased with the bipartisan support" for the stadium proposal.

"We look forward to continued engagement with members of the General Assembly," his statement said.

The team has sought a new stadium all along. But plans accelerated due to an favorable reception to the new North American Soccer League team, as evidenced by sales of 7,000 season tickets.

The proposed 18,500-seat, multipurpose stadium in Indianapolis could also accommodate concerts and other events in football, lacrosse and field hockey. Jeff Jarnecke, director of championships at the NCAA, recently testified on behalf of the proposal.

The Eleven will play home games this year at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium. The opener is April 12 against the Carolina RailHawks.

Major League Soccer, the United States' first-division league, has a goal to expand from 19 teams to 24 by 2020, and a new stadium could position Indianapolis for the step up. New York, Orlando and Miami will soon be added, with Atlanta, San Antonio, Sacramento and St. Louis cited as other possible new MLS cities.

Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195.