Orlando City President Phil Rawlins led a presentation to the City of Orlando Board of Commissioners Monday morning, making the case for a downtown multi-purpose soccer stadium that would bring Major League Soccer (MLS) to Orlando.
Rawlins delivered a similar presentation to the City Commissioners, going over key points like:
• $1.2 Billion economic impact over 30 years
• Signing a Designated Player (DP) upon entry in MLS, a “Brazilian Beckham”
• International games ($5.5 million economic impact each)
• MLS All-Star matches ($5.7 million economic impact each)
• Increased global brand exposure for Central Florida
"We've been meeting with MLS on a regular basis for the last 2 1/2 - 3 years," said Orlando City President Phil Rawlins. "There is no doubt that there is soccer fever here in Central Florida. It will only grow moving forward."
No vote of the City Commissioners took place after the meeting, but the public workshop is required to occur prior to a final vote.
The next and final step is a vote by both the Orange County and City of Orlando Commissioners, which is expected in the next month.
On the field, the Lions face the Charleston Battery this Friday in the 2013 USL PRO Semifinals. The match will be held at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl, with kickoff set for 7:30 p. m. A win would place Orlando in the Championship match, which will be held on Saturday, September 7.
For further updates on MLS in Orlando, stay tuned to OrlandoCitySoccer.com.
Based off CS&L study
