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Announcement Planned Soon on Deal to Bring Pro Soccer to Louisville

A formal announcement is expected next month that Louisville is getting a professional soccer team.Architect Wayne Estopinal is among a group of local investors behind a plan to bring the successful Orlando City franchise to Louisville.           

Mayor Greg Fischer’s new budget proposal includes a $581,000 appropriation to make Slugger Field soccer compatible.Estopinal says the soccer team would begin play at the ballpark next spring."The home team dugout to the right field wall would be the long axis of the pitch.  We’ll be able to seat about 9,000 in really good seating and when we have an international exhibition or something we’ll open it up more and we’ll seat about 12,000 in it," Estopinal said. The franchise is part of the United Soccer Leagues, the affiliate system for Major League Soccer.Estopinal says there have already been pledges for 1,600 season tickets in Louisville.We have a great fan base, Orlando City is the best USL team in the league.  They’ve proven that for the past four years, they’re leading the league right now."Estopinal says investors plan a more detailed announcement on June 4.   

Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.