Ingram Industries Chair John Ingram has "emerged as the lead investor of Nashville’s proposal for an MLS expansion team," according to a front-page piece by Joey Garrison of the Nashville TENNESSEAN. Ingram's involvement gives Nashville’s MLS application the "direction and financial support of someone with deep ties in the Nashville community whose connections span business, philanthropy, higher education, college athletics and politics." The "emergence of Ingram on the pro soccer scene follows news Monday that for the first time Nashville will host a CONCACAF Gold Cup match" in July featuring the USMNT. Ingram's status as lead owner "complements an effort" started by Nashville businessman Bill Hagerty in August with the creation of the Nashville MLS Organizing Committee, a "coalition of two dozen political and business leaders." Garrison notes Ingram, a "donor and supporter of Vanderbilt athletics, this past year helped recruit new Vanderbilt men’s basketball coach Bryce Drew." His investment role with Nashville’s MLS bid comes after Vanderbilt AD David Williams has said that he wants to "accelerate plans to construct a new football stadium for the Commodores." Williams has previously said that he is "open to a possible partnership in sharing a new stadium with a future MLS team if it created additional revenue for Vanderbilt" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 12/21).
A STEP BACKWARD: In St. Louis, Mike Faulk notes state funding for a St. Louis MLS stadium will "likely be decided" by the administration of incoming Gov. Eric Greitens rather than that of Gov. Jay Nixon, who has been "supportive of public financing." Faulk notes the postponement of a vote for $40M in tax credits to go toward the $200M stadium plan "came at the request of SC STL," the MLS investor group. SC STL Vice Chair Jim Kavanaugh said that the ownership group is "working on contingencies in the event it can’t secure" the tax credits, but those ideas are in the "early stages." He said that "losing out on the state contribution wouldn’t necessarily derail the group’s efforts at an MLS team." Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said that if the board "approves the tax credits this year," he "doesn’t think Greitens can overturn that vote." However, Greitens "could make things complicated for SC STL" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 12/21). Kavanaugh said that if Greitens "remains staunchly opposed to public funding, a St. Louis MLS franchise is in very serious jeopardy." Kavanaugh: "If we can’t figure out a way to bring reasonable public financing to a very significant investment... there’s risk" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/20).
CROWN TOWN: In Charlotte, Erik Spanberg noted for months SMI President & CEO Marcus Smith "quietly met with league executives and industry consultants as part of an ownership campaign" to bring an MLS team to Charlotte. Smith and SMI are "considering several stadium options -- and they believe Charlotte could win one of the two MLS clubs to be awarded next year." Smith said, "When the city, along with Bank of America Stadium, hosted the international games over the last few years and had the amazing success with those games, it really got us thinking about the possibility of being involved in MLS." He said last year he "had an opportunity to visit the league offices and learn a lot more about the sport and the things they’re looking for and really felt like Charlotte would be a perfect match." Asked about being able to submit an MLS expansion bid by Jan. 31, Smith said, "That is definitely our hope." Smith also said of potential stadium sites, "The great opportunity Charlotte has before us is we can design and build a brand new stadium with all kinds of amenities and flexibilities for fans and guests." Speaking of USL Charlotte Independence Managing Partner Jim McPhilliamy and his team, Smith said, "(They) have done a great job of cultivating soccer in the area and they’ve laid a lot of groundwork for avid soccer fans. We aren’t in a place right now to talk about who’s going to be working with who at this time" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/20).
