The United Soccer League Pro club Orlando City yesterday "sought to rouse support for a new public-private soccer stadium" with the release of a study by consulting firm CSL Int'l showing that MLS would have a $1.2B economic impact on the region, according to Mark Schlueb of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. Orlando City Owner & President Phil Rawlins said that the team "has been all but promised a MLS franchise in Orlando -- if it gets a stadium of its own." Schlueb notes the stadium would cost about $96.5M, and team execs "hope Orlando and Orange County will help cover the cost." But beyond that, "no financial details have been discussed." The club currently plays at the Citrus Bowl, and MLS "would allow the team to continue in that venue, but only for so long." Rawlins said that to "earn an MLS franchise, the Lions must have a plan in place for their own facility." Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs "have each toured MLS stadiums with Orlando City Soccer executives -- most recently last weekend, when Jacobs toured PPL Park in Pennsylvania and met with the facility's architects and the Philadelphia Union's owners" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 10/10).
