Roundup: Esports effort shuffles Pacers exec ranks; Indy 500 trophy heads to Japan
Also, Joey Chestnut prepares to defend his shrimp-eating title in Indy, and the North American Soccer League suffers another blow.
Indy Eleven
Articles
Report: Indy not among finalists to join Major League Soccer
Sacramento, Cincinnati and Nashville are finalists to land expansion clubs, according to a report from Sports Illustrated soccer writer Grant Wahl.
Indy Eleven attendance holds steady as uncertain future looms
The Indy Eleven’s average home attendance this year was tops in the struggling North American Soccer League and better than all but three of the 30 teams in a competing league. Team officials see that as a positive factor in their bid to join Major League Soccer.
Indy Eleven’s league again faces uncertain future
The North American Soccer League—the professional soccer league that includes the Indy Eleven—has lost its sanctioning as a Division 2 league for the 2018 season, the NASL announced Tuesday.
Indy Eleven signs deal with Adidas, unveils new uniform
Gone is the jersey’s subtle yet unmistakable checkered design background—a nod to the Indianapolis 500 and the team’s support squad, the Brickyard Battalion—which was popular with the team’s fan base.
Indy Eleven’s effort to score MLS franchise takes hit
The soccer club made an eleventh-hour pitch for state aid in building a stadium during this year’s General Assembly, with most of the presentations made privately and quietly. The team’s request was not acted upon.
Indy Eleven’s owner, investment group say there’s urgency to MLS bid
The window on Ersal Ozdemir’s dream of bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Indianapolis might be closing—fast.
St. Louis, San Diego among top bidders for Major League Soccer expansion
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday that having stadium financing in place is a condition for selection.
Indy Eleven name investors for MLS bid, identify stadium site
The team says it has put together a plan to raise the estimated $320 million needed to cover the expected $150 million Major League Soccer franchise fee, a new 20,000-seat downtown stadium and start-up costs for the team.
Indy Eleven to make bid for Major League Soccer expansion
Jumping from the North American Soccer League—the second-tier professional soccer league in the United States—to the top league would require the Indy Eleven to pay a franchise expansion fee of at least $150 million and would involve construction of a downtown stadium.
Indy Eleven’s league granted extension for 2017 season by soccer’s governing body
The North American Soccer League will retain its status as a Division II league for its upcoming season, but on a provisional level as U.S. soccer officials set requirements for the troubled league to maintain that status.
U.S. Soccer delays decision on fate of Indy Eleven’s league
The U.S. Soccer Federation’s board of directors met in New York City on Tuesday and decided to postpone a decision about the North American Soccer League, where the Eleven have played since their first season in 2014.
Future of Indy Eleven’s league grows even murkier
The North America Soccer League ended its latest season in mid-November with 12 teams, but is in danger of losing half of them.
Indy Eleven revamps season ticket packages after attendance dip
Some season ticket holders told team officials they wanted bigger discounts over single-game prices. Meanwhile, the team continues to discuss options for a new stadium with state lawmakers.
Indy Eleven planning for 2017 despite league defections, questions
Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir remains bullish on the North American Soccer League despite the defection of two of its teams to the rival United Soccer League this week. The team is putting 2017 season tickets on sale Friday.
Attendance dip complicating Indy Eleven’s stadium quest
The Indy Eleven are succeeding on the field this year, but struggling to maintain their spot as North American Soccer League attendance leader. And serious concerns about the NASL’s future have emerged, casting an even bigger shadow over the local team.
State lawmaker tells Indy Eleven owner ‘be a man,’ pony up for stadium
Efforts by local developer Ersal Ozdemir to secure tens of millions of dollars in public money to build a downtown soccer stadium for his North American Soccer League team appear to have hit a brick wall in this year’s General Assembly, and perhaps permanently, said one key lawmaker.
Wilt leaves Indy Eleven; former Speedway honcho becomes new president
Former Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Jeff Belskus is the new president of the Indy Eleven professional soccer team. Peter Wilt is leaving to start a rival NASL team in Chicago.
Pacers owner Herb Simon expanding his sports empire
Herb Simon, who earned his spot on the Forbes 400 list as part of Simon Property Group, is buying an expansion franchise in the United Soccer League, a professional league with a player-development agreement with Major League Soccer.
Attendance dip isn’t deterring Indy Eleven from seeking new stadium
Indy Eleven General Manager Peter Wilt isn’t too worried about the team’s 6.3 percent attendance drop this year, because of gains in sponsorship, food and beverage sales, and soccer-camp revenue.