Financing could change for Indy Eleven soccer stadium

The chairman of the Senate committee handling the Indy Eleven stadium bill said Thursday he will introduce an amendment to significantly alter financing of the proposed $82 million facility.

Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, said the amendment could be made public as early as Friday and that the Tax and Fiscal Policy committee will have a hearing on the bill Tuesday. Hershman declined further comment.

The current bill, which passed the House, would service the bond debt through tax money generated by the stadium and by a hotel being developed by team owner Ersal Ozdemir. Ozdemir would be required to guarantee half of the cost of the stadium.

Hershman's comments came after the Indy Eleven had a rally Thursday morning at the Indiana Statehouse in support of the bill. It included Mayor Greg Ballard, who said the project is "a stadium whose time has come."

Ballard added that the 18,500-seat multipurpose facility would provide an "authentic urban experience" that could make the city more attractive for young professionals.

Critics, including Americans for Prosperity, have expressed concern about taxpayers being on the hook if the stadium doesn't generate enough money.

After the rally, Ozdemir said he wants "to be part of the solution" to any concerns of lawmakers.

"That's why we want to continue dialogue with Senate leaders and see what they have in mind," Ozdemir said. "We want to hear from the Senate leadership and we want to be very responsive. We want to make sure this is successful for everybody for a long time to come. We're open to any ideas they might have to try to make that work for everybody involved."

Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, gave the bill a lukewarm reception after it passed the House. Long said there were other priorities ahead of the stadium.

The bill still has to pass the Senate committee and then go to a vote of the full Senate. If the bill is amended, it would go back to the House.

There was a lot more enthusiasm for the stadium among about 250 people at the rally, which included team personnel.

Indy Eleven president Peter Wilt told supporters, "A vibrant Indy has to stay one step ahead of curve."

Ozdemir also spoke, saying soccer is big with millennials and ethnic communities and the city should keep up the momentum built by the team, which is entering its second season.

Josh Mason, co-founder of the Brickyard Battalion, a fan support group for the team, alluded to an iconic line in the movie "Field of Dreams": "If you build it, they will come."

"We're already here," he told the crowd. "Build the stadium."

Contact Mark Alesia at (317) 444-6311. Follow him on Twitter: @markalesia.



