FC Cincinnati Wants County To Split Stadium Cost

Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 7:27 AM

By Mike Perleberg FC Cincinnati is requesting Hamilton County taxpayer funding for a potential new soccer stadium. Rendering courtesy FC Cincinnati. (Hamilton County, Oh.) - Hamilton County Commissioners are being asked to decide whether taxpayers should foot part of the bill for another stadium. FC Cincinnati officials went before the commission on Monday to request their help in paying for a soccer-specific facility in Oakley or the West End, according to WLWT-TV. A new, $200 million stadium - or at least a plan to build it - is a requirement in the team's bid to join Major League Soccer. Team president and general manager Jeff Berding on Monday asked the county to approve of splitting the costs. He suggested the team ownership group led by Carl Lindner III pay $100 million and the county pay the other $100 million. The ownership group would also pay the $150 million franchise fee to move from the United Soccer League up to MLS. However, Hamilton County officials say the stadium may fall below the Western Hills Viaduct replacement and Fort Washington Way improvements on the priority list. The race is on for county officials to make a stadium decision. Major League Soccer plans to announce in December which cities will host two expansion teams.