MLS president discusses bids as Charlotte vies for team

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Major League Soccer president spoke out for the first time just 24 hours after Charlotte submitted its bid for a team.

A major takeaway from the news conference was that the league didn’t need a finalized stadium plan by Tuesday’s bid deadline.

MLS president Mark Abbott said a finalized plan would be necessary by the end of the year when they pick the next two MLS teams.

“What we were asking is on the application deadline, which was January 31st, that we recognize that different markets would be in different places with respect to their ownership groups with respect to their stadium plans,” said Abbott.

Charlotte’s plan to bring an MLS team to the Queen City is far from finalized.

(Rendering for Charlotte stadium)

The CEO of Speedway Motorsports formally submitted a bid Tuesday, which includes a proposal to demolish Memorial Stadium in Elizabeth and build a new MLS stadium, despite not having the city’s support. The project is expected to cost around $175 million.

Mecklenburg County has agreed to give $44 million toward razing Memorial Stadium and build a new one. But Charlotte City Council hasn’t voted on the matter, and don’t have immediate plans to do so.

The bid submitted by Marcus Smith, of Charlotte Motor Speedway, gives the city more time to consider taking on the project.

Click PLAY to watch Speedway Motorsports video bid for MLS team