Lincoln Yards Developer Buys Pro Soccer Team For Planned Stadium

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago-based developer Sterling Bay has purchased a United Soccer League expansion team for a planned stadium in its Lincoln Yards development. The stadium is planned for the area near the Chicago River in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, across from Bucktown. Sterling Bay said the soccer team's goal is to begin playing in the 2020 season.

The Lincoln Yards development is one of the Chicago sites proposed for Amazon's second headquarters. The stadium–designed by architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill–is expected to have a retractable roof and seating for about 20,000.

Sterling Bay said the venue would be used for year-round events, including college football, basketball and concerts. The company said it will own and operate the team along with other investors.

Sterling Bay Managing Principal Andy Gloor told the Chicago Tribune the new team can co-exist successfully alongside Bridgeview team Chicago Fire, which competes in Major League Soccer's Eastern Conference.

"There are a lot of cities that have two soccer teams," Gloor told the Tribune. "New York and Los Angeles have two MLS teams. They can co-exist in a city the size of Chicago."

Lincoln Yards is a $10 billion riverfront mega-development that would include the old A. Finkl & Sons Steel site, which was reportedly visited by Amazon representatives earlier this month. Plans for the project include retail, housing and office space in low- and mid-rise buildings.

Image courtesy of Sterling Bay