Proponents of an MLS expansion franchise for Nashville have formed the MLS2Nashville Committee, an initiative aimed at strengthening the city’s bid.
While more details concerning the city’s stadium proposal await, there have been some developments of late in Nashville’s efforts to obtain an MLS franchise. John Ingram, who is leading the expansion bid, recently purchased the controlling interest in the USL’s Nashville SC. That decision helps align the goals of the team and the expansion effort, both of which are looking to continue building community support.
Meanwhile, the MLS2Nashville Committee has been formed to help promote the city to the soccer world. Featuring original MLS steering committee founders Bill Hagerty and Will Alexander, the MLS2Nashville Committee is looking to boost its profile right away.
The first major goal of the committee concerns an upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup at Nissan Stadium. Committee members are making it a priority to see that the match, which is scheduled for July 8, becomes the highest-attended soccer game in Tennessee history. More from The Tennessean:
“We want the Gold Cup to be the best attended soccer game in the history of the state of Tennessee,” Alexander said. “We call this the Gold Record Challenge and we think the city is up for it.”
The 2015 U.S.-Guatamala match, which had an attendance of 44,835, holds the record for the highest-attended soccer game in Tennessee history.
“I have to really give a shout out to Will Alexander and Bill Hagerty because they got this ball rolling and they have started something that’s really remarkable,” Ingram said. “I love that we’ve found a way to build and expand the committee to include so many more folks.”
The MLS2Nashville committee also features some high-profile names as its honorary co-chairs, including former Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George and Nashville-based model Lily Aldridge.
Photo of 2013 MLS All-Star Game by Brett Flanders via flickr.com.
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