That bill to give sales-tax kickbacks to pretty much any sports franchise in Florida that doesn’t already get them moved ahead yesterday, as a state senate committee unanimously approved giving $2 million a year to two MLS franchises for the next 30 years. For good measure, the senate commerce and tourism committee also approved giving added tax breaks to Lockheed Martin and Fidelity National, which have already gotten nearly $7 million in subsidies apiece, and could still consider requests for additional money from the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.
For those keeping score, if the MLS bill is signed into law, it would leave the Orlando City Soccer Club just $45 million short of its $75 million subsidy demand for a new stadium. ($2 million a year for 30 years adds up to just $30 million in present-day expenses because some of it would have to pay for interest on bonds.) It would also potentially open up a road to subsidies for these guys, though they’d have to actually join a real league first.
VSI Tampa Bay FC DID join a real league: the USL, which is the same league Orlando City plays in. VSI Tampa begins play in April.
Right, but a USL team isn’t going to be eligible for subsidies under this bill. VSI Tampa would need to join MLS for that, which is a ways off at best.
Right, but so is Orlando City. And currently there is no commitment from Garber and MLS that OCSC will be in MLS anytime soon. Everyone knows they’re intent on NY2. Southeast expansion might not happen for another 6+ years. Whatever obstacles VSI Tampa would need to jump through, so would Orlando City. The way I see it, they’re both on equal footing right now. Both owners have deep pockets and a desire to play top flight soccer. And they’re both in the same league currently. I don’t see a difference.
Yeah, I didn’t mean to imply that either team was in position to get subsidies right now. Insert a “too” at the end of the last sentence in the article if that helps clarify.
This is a done deal! That city just spent at least 500mil on the basketball team for an arena that wasnt necessary. The soccer team will actually bring in tourist dollars at fraction of the cost.
Lets not forget 175mil renovation deal at an empty Citius bowl? And if they’re like every other Florida city there is at least 100mil for any baseball team at any level.