The soccer community in Charlotte, NC has been in a whirlwind of different emotions over the last week. From those who claim that Charlotte doesn’t “deserve” a Major League Soccer team, to those on the other side of extreme that believe Charlotte is an obvious landing spot for MLS. The complete and honest truth, in this conundrum, is we just don’t know what the expansion committee will look for aside from $150 million to $250 million expansion fee.

Geographically it fits the mold and adds a team between D.C. United and the new kids on the block, Atlanta United. That’s two United’s in roughly a 700 mile span for those of you keeping track at home. It is a top 25 television market, so it fits the mold there. It houses Fortune 500 companies, so sponsorship money is there. It has a young demographic. It also has a fan base that shows up for large international games. Many of checklist items are there.

However, the Charlotte Independence, have had some of the lowest attendance in the USL the last two seasons at Ramblewood Soccer Complex in a temporary stadium. While they have a temporary home, there is not a stadium plan officially in place that will meet the requirements of Major League Soccer. Upgrades have been presented to the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, but talks have been put on hold until a decision on if Charlotte is awarded a franchise is complete.

NASCAR Ties

Marcus Smith, President and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. launched his own campaign to bring a MLS franchise to Charlotte. Marcus, along with his father, Bruton, brings one of the most important assets to the table. Capital. Bruton Smith has a net worth estimated a $1.5 billion, and also brings valuable experience and contacts in the sports and entertainment business. He founded Sonic Automotive and Speedway Motorsports, owned part of a minor league baseball team, the Kannapolis Intimidators, and has publicly expressed interest in purchasing the Carolina Panthers when it becomes available.

We do not know much about the possible investment group or stadium ideas, or really anything else aside from the fact that they will be submitting an application. The biggest telling point is that Don Garber, Commissioner of MLS, referenced Marcus Smith by name and mentioned the large International games Charlotte has hosted. He mentioned nothing of the local team or its ownership group, which shows the power of the Smith family bid.

Charlotte Independence

Jim McPhilliamy, owner and managing partner of the Charlotte Independence, has also explored viable capital options to bring MLS to Charlotte. In October, McPhilliamy recruited Brent Lawrence, CEO of Accelerate, to help find investors with deep pockets. Accelerate has worked with Sacramento FC, who is primed to receive one of the latest MLS franchises when the league expands. Both Lawrence and McPhilliamy are hoping for a similar result for the Charlotte area, which they deem as a better market than Sacramento.

The ownership group of the Independence is banking that the uptown stadium, American Legion Memorial Stadium, would be a suitable home for a future MLS team. The stadium is in need of a face lift and would need to be upgraded and expanded to meet the requirements MLS demands. However, it has one big checklist item: It’s within the city limits. Plans for this upgrade would cost the City, County and Team each $8 million, with possibly more to get it to MLS standards. As stated earlier, the stadium upgrades have been laid out, bit all plans to vote have been put on hold until after the decision has been made by MLS.

Joint Venture

Jim McPhilliamy was aware of the Smith’s bid, but did not go as far as to say they were working together. It feels as if both parties are feeling each other out and seeing if one needs the other. MLS does not require a current team to be playing in the city. Just look at LAFC and Atlanta United, for example, but it does help. Assuming the local team has great attendance and a history that can be beneficial to the league, such as Seattle and Portland when they made their switch. Unfortunately, the Independence currently does not have either, but they do have management team in place to make the adjustment easier. That is something that could be a possible benefit to the Smith’s bid.

On the other side, the Independence could use the Smith’s money and connections in the industry. However, it would require relinquishing control on something that they have put their blood, sweat and tears into over the last few years. The Independence have more to gain with the Smith’s than the Smith’s do with the Independence, but a combined bid might be as close to a guarantee that Charlotte can get. Most Independence fans would love to see Jim and his team stay on board in some capacity, but only time will tell on that. We’ll get an answer in February, after the applications have been submitted.

The Triangle Aspect

Charlotte is not promised a spot, though I do feel that North Carolina will be awarded a MLS franchise in the next few years. Enter Steve Malik and the newly, and poorly, minted “North Carolina FC”. The former Railhawks have re-branded and are going all in on getting a team in the Raleigh-Durham-Cary area to represent North Carolina on the MLS level. Putting up his own money for a stadium, promising to bring in a NWSL team, and building off the Railhawks history and attendance, Mr. Malik is in a prime position to win the rights. The Smith’s and the Independence need to take this seriously, because if the Triangle gets the rights to the franchise for North Carolina, Charlotte soccer might be without a professional team all together. The current Independence ownership group has stated their desires as “MLS or Bust”, so while the USL team will still be in existence, it would probably require a new ownership group to continue at that level. If no other investors step forward, the professional soccer landscape in Charlotte would be very barren.

The Future

There is no way to know if Charlotte will be a good investment for Major League Soccer. The Hornets are averaging 16,681 fans per home game, the Panthers are averaging 73,827 fans per home game and the Charlotte Knights, the minor league baseball team, averaged 8,974 fans per home game last summer. If Memorial can get upgraded, and turn into an “event” as opposed to just a game, then I think it is completely possible to have well over 15,000 in attendance for each home game and possibly well over that when USMNT players come to town. FC Dallas, last year averaged 14,094 per home match, which was the lowest in the league.

The point is this, Charlotte has shown that it can house professional teams and carry the support. Comparing the future MLS team support with that of the Independence would be comparing apples to oranges, but it does have to weigh on the minds of the expansion committee within MLS. Failed franchises are not what Major League Soccer wants or needs at the moment, and they are in the position to be very selective with who gets what and when. North Carolina will ultimately get a spot. Charlotte or Raleigh might just come down to a family in NASCAR.