MLS says no to Paul Brown Stadium option for FC Cincinnati plans
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The Hamilton County Commissioners have some good news for the city in its efforts to help FC Cincinnati with a stadium, but there’s a catch.
Monday night Commissioner Todd Portune says he’d grant the request of Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley to give the city its share of the hotel tax money that is marked to be spent on maintenance at the convention center.
"We will cooperate in the release of those funds and that will generate about another $20 million dollars toward the infrastructure in Oakley,” said Portune.
The catch is that if there needs to be maintenance and the city has spent the $20 million on infrastructure for FCC the city would have to come up with the money to fix the convention center on its own and not from the county.
Last week commissioners announced their best pitch for MLS would have FCC play at Paul Brown Stadium and not a new stadium.
FCC booted the idea and today so did Major League Soccer.
“We made the case today for Major League Soccer on why we felt it was appropriate,” said Portune. “They pushed back with why it wasn't and at the end of the day they said any application that is relying on a non-soccer specific stadium will not fit well on the leagues long range plans."
So it’s back to plan B for the county, paying for $15 million dollar parking garage.
Major League Soccer has repeatedly said it requires a soccer-only stadium in order for a team to get an expansion franchise.
Two such franchises will be awarded in mid-December.
FC Cincinnati's President and General Manager Jeff Berding released a statement following the meeting between MLS, FC Cincinnati and the Hamilton County Board.
"The three parties spoke at length regarding Major League Soccer’s stated priority for a soccer-specific stadium as a need for MLS Expansion. Hamilton County officials proposed using Paul Brown Stadium as the future home of FC Cincinnati. The discussion specifically vetted Paul Brown Stadium as it relates to the fan experience, the operational infrastructure as well as the economics to all parties. MLS officials provided answers on why a soccer-specific stadium is a key to a team’s viability and the growth of the League, and therefore is viewed as a priority if FC Cincinnati is to win a bid," said Berding in the statement.
"FC Cincinnati has always taken the position that Hamilton County has an obligation to taxpayers to explore PBS, and therefore was pleased to arrange the discussion today. We thank Commission President Todd Portune and other County leaders for dedicating time to explore the stadium issue as a condition to Cincinnati winning a new MLS Franchise. We look forward to working with Hamilton County in the next few days as the Commission seeks to support our bid, which includes our commitment to privately fund a new soccer-specific stadium. During this time, we also will be working closely with City Council Members regarding Mayor John Cranley’s Oakley infrastructure plan," said Berding the statement.
The following is the statement from FC Cincinnati GM Jeff Berding in full:
FC Cincinnati was pleased to host a teleconference call, lasting over an hour, between Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Hamilton County Board today represented by Commission President Todd Portune, County Administrator Jeff Aluotto and representatives of the other two Commissioners as well as the County Prosecutor. The three parties spoke at length regarding Major League Soccer’s stated priority for a soccer-specific stadium as a need for MLS Expansion. Hamilton County officials proposed using Paul Brown Stadium as the future home of FC Cincinnati. The discussion specifically vetted Paul Brown Stadium as it relates to the fan experience, the operational infrastructure as well as the economics to all parties. MLS officials provided answers on why a soccer-specific stadium is a key to a team’s viability and the growth of the League, and therefore is viewed as a priority if FC Cincinnati is to win a bid.
FC Cincinnati has always taken the position that Hamilton County has an obligation to taxpayers to explore PBS, and therefore was pleased to arrange the discussion today. We thank Commission President Todd Portune and other County leaders for dedicating time to explore the stadium issue as a condition to Cincinnati winning a new MLS Franchise. We look forward to working with Hamilton County in the next few days as the Commission seeks to support our bid, which includes our commitment to privately fund a new soccer-specific stadium. During this time, we also will be working closely with City Council Members regarding Mayor John Cranley’s Oakley infrastructure plan.
