Slugger means costly coexistence for LCFC, Bats

Louisville City FC owner Wayne Estopinal ran into a Louisville Bats stakeholder at last Saturday's game, a 6-2 victory, on his first visit for soccer.

"He said, 'Wayne, congratulations. Great crowd. Great energy. I've walked the entire stadium and didn't see a face I knew,'" Estopinal said. "I think that's really a great testament to the fact that we've touched a new group, and I don't think it's cost the Bats a thing."

The Triple-A baseball franchise agrees as the two coincide at Louisville Slugger Field this year and approach a weekend likely to draw some of the biggest crowds of the season.

On Friday, the Bats conclude a home stand by hosting the Columbus Clippers at 6:45 p.m., with a fireworks show to follow. Saturday means more action -- Louisville City FC versus the Richmond Kickers at 7:30 p.m. -- and more fireworks after the game.

Any concerns of a torn up field for baseball games were quickly dashed. Greg Galiette, the Bats' senior vice president, said that's a "tip of the cap" to the baseball team's grounds crew that now puts in extra time for Louisville City FC, too.

And though the Bats have seen a slight decrease in average attendance -- from last year's 7,990 to 7,392 so far this season -- Galiette added that "season tickets didn't take a hit. Everything seems good."

Still, while sharing Slugger is working for now, it doesn't remain viable long-term for Louisville City FC, despite drawing 6,002 fans per game, second of 24 United Soccer Leagues teams.

Louisville City FC pays $5,000 per game to sub-lease Louisville Slugger Field from the Bats, the primary tenant at the city-owned stadium. On top of that the soccer club funds everything from security personnel to ticket takers. Meanwhile, Louisville City FC doesn't make money off concessions, and advertising is limited to the stands sitting beside the pitch on game days.

The final tally? Anywhere from $23-24,000 to play a home game.

"It's a costly undertaking," Estopinal said. "No, there is no profit. We're working with our ownership to sustain this until we can get to a new venue. We're going to have to be in discussions about that immediately."

The USL wants each of its teams in soccer-specific stadiums by 2020. To survive, Louisville City FC needs a new spot before then.

The club's deal to play at Louisville Slugger Field runs for five years, and the get-out clause involves a new facility, likely supported by private and public funds and with room to expand in case the franchise ever receives the call from Major League Soccer.

Estopinal, a local architect who designed the University of Louisville's new Lynn Stadium, said he has both ideas of cost and location for such a facility, though it's too soon to disclose details.

There's no playing elsewhere at less cost, either. Louisville City FC's league, USL, wouldn't approve a high school stadium. And the club has already outgrown Lynn Stadium's capacity, with Estopinal determined to take a financial hit now in exchange for a larger fan base later.

For now, Louisville Slugger Field remains "an expensive place for us to play soccer," Estopinal said. But with on-site locker rooms, a downtown location and grounds crew that has been "nothing but professional," it remains the best option.

The Bats, of course, are on the receiving end of extra profits. They've seen more than a financial benefit to soccer at Slugger as well.

"It's been kind of interesting," Galiette said. "I've bumped into some people wearing the kits for the soccer team at our games, and they're saying it's the first time they've been at a Bats game in four, five, six years because they've gotten back into the habit of coming to Slugger Field for soccer. It's probably been a positive for us in that aspect.

"...I think the partnership has been good for both franchises and the city, too. It's a win-win."