The site for the proposed new stadium
Featured image credit: Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG) has advanced its claims for a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion franchise by securing a land deal for a proposed $150m (£112.9m/€134.4m) stadium.
Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners yesterday (Thursday) approved the purchase of approximately 13.6 acres of land from the Ohio Department of Transportation in the City of Cleveland to support CSG’s effort to build a stadium and bring an NWSL team to Northeast Ohio.
The proposed stadium would be located in downtown Cleveland across the street from Progressive Field, home of MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, on undeveloped land. The stadium would be the first ever public-private partnership (PPP) for a newly constructed stadium primarily designed for women’s professional sports, according to the project’s backers.
The initial design would support capacity of at least 12,500 fans and be engineered to expand up to 20,000 if needed. In addition to a new NWSL team, the stadium would also serve as the home for a men’s MLS NEXT Pro club and host other events including select collegiate and high school sports, concerts and festivals.
Cleveland Metroparks’ acquisition of the approximately $4.2m property is subject to a due diligence and site review and is fully funded by CSG. CSG is continuing to work with city, county and state officials to finalise the funding plan for the PPP.
While the stadium will cost $150m, the total project, including training facilities and team operations, has been pegged at $283m. CSG is seeking $90m in public money from the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio. Public support would be largely funded through bonds repaid by new revenues generated from the stadium.
The stadium will be publicly owned, with the team holding a lease. Cleveland Pro Soccer will invest $193m, or 68% of the total project, including $60m for the stadium.
“Cleveland Metroparks is proud to partner with CSG to help make Cleveland home to the next professional National Women’s Soccer League team,” said Cleveland Metroparks CEO, Brian M. Zimmerman.
“The acquisition of this centrally located property near the heart of Cleveland aligns with our ongoing efforts to connect communities to and around downtown Cleveland through our growing trail network and we’re excited and hopeful that GSG and Cleveland will be successful in this tremendous opportunity.”
CSG co-founder and CEO, Michael Murphy, added: “Our vision of prioritising equity and economic impact through women’s professional sports is so complementary to the Metroparks mission. We are thrilled to partner with Cleveland Metroparks on this transformative project for the region.”
Elsewhere in Cleveland, the Browns last month issued a first look at a new $2.4bn domed stadium that could be the NFL team’s future home.
The Browns have been exploring the prospect of building a new venue or renovating Cleveland Browns Stadium since 2017 as its current lease expires in 2028. The team gave an update on its plans after Cleveland’s Mayor Justin Bibb released the authority’s latest proposal for a $1bn stadium renovation project within a wider lakefront development.
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