The Orange County (Florida) Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 last night to approve a $94.5 million funding package. According to the Orlando Business Journal, the package includes
- $20 million in tourist development taxes for Orlando City Soccer to build an $81 million stadium downtown,
- $12 million for Florida Citrus Sports to help pay for a $200 million upgrade to the football stadium,
- $25 million for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts so it can build a 1,700-seat multi-performance hall, and
- Additional promotional funds for Visit Orlando and the Central Florida Sports Commission to help bring more visitors and sports events to the city.
Now that the funding has passed, Orlando City SC plans to join Major League Soccer as its latest franchise team.
“We thank the Orange County and City of Orlando Board of Commissioners for their support to build a soccer-specific stadium in downtown Orlando,” MLS president and deputy commissioner Mark Abbott said in a statement. “We also would like to thank [owners] Flavio Augusto da Silva, Phil Rawlins and their staff for their passion and commitment to bring a Major League Soccer team to Orlando. We look forward to working with the Orlando City SC ownership group to finalize an expansion agreement.”
(Image via Orlando City Soccer Pinterest Page)
