Senate leader: Indy Eleven stadium not a top priority

The Indiana House on Wednesday passed the Indy Eleven stadium bill, which moves to the Senate — apparently with a lukewarm reception from the chamber's leader.

By a vote of 74-21, lawmakers passed a financing structure for the $82 million, 18,500-seat stadium. It would be paid for with taxes generated by the facility and a hotel being developed by team owner Ersal Ozdemir.

At a news conference before the House vote, Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said there are other priorities before the soccer stadium.

"I don't get too excited over it, but at the same time, I haven't delved into it too deeply this year," Long said of the stadium. "We're really focused on funding our priorities. Those have to come first. If the soccer stadium makes fiscal sense, we'll certainly consider it. … That's an additional issue that might have to wait ... and even then, I don't know where it would go."

The team pushed a stadium bill last year — before the team had played a single game — but it stalled in the Senate.

House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, did not vote on the bill. He disclosed after Wednesday's vote that he had done legal work for the Indy Eleven and has remained neutral. That work involved trademarks and contract negotiations.

"I don't have an (ownership) interest in it," Bosma said. "Honestly, I'm just trying to set the example for others and felt it was appropriate for me to file a letter (with the House ethics committee) and be excused."

Among the remaining questions about the bill are how Ozdemir would guarantee half of the debt, a requirement added to the bill Tuesday. The issue of naming rights and where that money would go hasn't been mentioned publicly.

The bill's sponsor, Todd Huston, R-Fishers, said it's "enabling" legislation that would merely provide a framework for negotiation between the team and the city.

Huston noted that unlike Lucas Oil Stadium, no taxes would be raised to pay for the stadium and the state would have no part in issuing bonds.

But the team continues to say that if people don't go to the games or don't go to Ozdemir's hotel, they won't be paying for the stadium. Chase Downham, Indiana state director for Americans for Prosperity, sees it differently.

Downham said money spent at the stadium and Ozdemir's hotel could take money away from entities generating taxes for general city services. He said the projections "assume success" and taxpayers will end up paying if the plan fails.

Huston admitted being a skeptic last year and "not, frankly, a huge soccer fan." But he said there is demand and excitement for the stadium.

"Why is a guy from Hamilton County carrying a Marion County bill?" Huston said. "I always say I'm not a parochial guy. I obviously care about my district and my local community. But at the end of the day, our state is stronger with a stronger Indianapolis. ... My community is a beneficiary of a stronger Downtown area."

The only other lawmaker to speak was Rep. John Bartlett, D-Indianapolis, who opposed the bill.

"If Downtown Indianapolis is doing that great, let it support itself," Bartlett said. "We have outlying communities that really need our help, our assistance. I submit to you that a soccer field would not get it done."

Call Star reporter Mark Alesia at (317) 444-6311. Follow him on Twitter: @markalesia. Read his other stories.