Cincinnati-based Mercy Health has "scored the naming rights" for MLS-bound FC Cincinnati's planned training complex in Milford, Ohio, with construction beginning yesterday for the $30M Mercy Health Training Center, according to Barrett Brunsman of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. FC Cincinnati "plans to relocate to the complex in January and use temporary facilities until the training center is completed." The complex is to be "fully operational by next August." Mercy Health "previously signed on as FC Cincinnati's jersey partner," beginning in '19 as the club moves to MLS from the USL. The sponsorship of the club's training center is a "separate deal" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/19). FC Cincinnati Owner & CEO Carl Lindner yesterday at the groundbreaking ceremony said that the training center "would be one of the finest in the MLS ranks." In Cincinnati, Patrick Brennan noted natural grass is "already being grown for the training facility, which will be available for the MLS first team's needs, along with temporary buildings," in time for the '19 season. FC Cincinnati President & GM Jeff Berding said, "It's just a culmination of one of our dreams. We're an ambitious club. We had an ambition for a major-league level training center and we've been working really hard, really, since our first year, so over the last two years, to bring this to fruition" (CINCINNATI.com, 9/19).
BUMP IN THE ROAD: In Cincinnati, Sheila Vilvens reports while all signs "indicate things are going as planned for the soccer club's training facility," a lawsuit filed Sept. 18 in the Clermont County Courts "could jeopardize plans." Local resident Rachel Richardson filed a lawsuit "accusing the Milford City Council of holding secret, illegal meetings in violation of an agreed injunction." The topic of one of the meetings where Richardson alleges a violation took place was "real estate relating to land for the FC Cincinnati practice facility." Richardson's attorney, Matthew Miller-Novak, said that it is "uncertain at this time" if the lawsuit will jeopardize the new soccer facility (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 9/20).
