Meeting between Major League Soccer, county leaders canceled

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The meeting next week between officials with Major League Soccer and four Mecklenburg County commissioners has been canceled.

Leaders said the decision all came down to transparency.

Four commissioners can meet privately, but when it gets to five, in most cases, the law requires it be a public meeting.

Initially, four commissioners were set up to meet with the officials.

The tide turned when a fifth commissioner also signed on.

In an email, County Manager Dena Diorio said they could not hold the meeting.

If more than four commissioners showed up, they'd then be split into smaller groups, she said.

That's when commissioners, including Pat Cotham, fired back.

“And then we said, ‘No, no, no,'” she said.

The deal to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte would cost both the city and the county more than $43 million in taxpayers’ money.

“If you can't debate this in the public arena, you shouldn't expect the public to build you an arena,” Commissioner Jim Puckett said.

In addition to the nearly $44 million request, the county is being asked to loan potential owner Marcus Smith $75 million for the stadium’s construction.

Under the terms, Smith would then have to pay back the county $4.26 million a year for 25 years.

“The purpose of Major League Soccer’s July 18 meetings with local officials has been mischaracterized,” a spokesperson with a local group that supports bringing an MLS team to Charlotte said in a statement. “MLS never requested private meetings with public officials. This site visit was initiated by MLS4CLT, the local group seeking an MLS club for Charlotte. Tuesday’s visit will showcase the city of Charlotte and the proposed stadium site, practice facilities and other city assets, as well as introduce league officials to a variety of city and county leaders. These introductions are not intended to involve any substantive discussions or negotiations. MLS4CLT has participated in several public hearings and remains committed to open discussion throughout this process.”

Cox Media Group