Sports

Major League Soccer Is Coming To Charlotte

Charlotte was named the 30th expansion city for Major League Soccer Tuesday, beating out Phoenix and Las Vegas.

CHARLOTTE, NC β€” Charlotte’s sports scene just got a whole lot bigger. The Queen City has been named the 30th expansion city for Major League Soccer, beating out Phoenix and Las Vegas, according to reports.

The news of the major expansion award going to Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper was confirmed Tuesday by Tepper, alongside Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles at an event at the Mint Museum Uptown, the Charlotte Observer reported.

According to the newspaper, Tepper is spending between $300 million and $325 million on the expansion β€” a significant increase over the $200-million price tag associated with the last round of MLS expansions in St. Louis, Missouri and Sacramento, California.

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While details of the City of Charlotte’s contribution to the endeavor remain unclear, Lyles indicated last month in a letter that the city could hold $110 million aside in reserve to help the venture, newspaper said.

The team, which has not yet been named, will begin playing at the Bank of America Stadium in 2021, and it will be headquartered in east Charlotte where the old Eastland Mall was located.

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β€œIt’s going to be a new Charlotte,” Tepper said. β€œWe’re the hot city.”

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