The city's bid for a Major League Soccer team is inching closer to success. But MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Thursday afternoon that no decision has been made yet.
Garber says the league is in “advanced discussions” with Charlotte Panthers' owner David Tepper. That's according to news outlets covering the league board meeting in New York on Thursday.
Still unresolved is whether the Charlotte City Council will approve spending about $100 million in tourism tax money on a training facility and team offices. That could come at a council meeting later this month.
The league has said that any announcement will come in the host city, and possible dates for an announcement have been rumored this week. But city officials say nothing is planned yet.
Garber says league is in “very, very advanced discussions” with Charlotte. No formal approval granted. Issues remain with stadium.
— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) December 5, 2019
Mayor Vi Lyles said in a tweet Thursday that no city elected or appointed officials were at the MLS meeting and called speculation about the decision "premature."
Here is my statement on @MLS in Charlotte. pic.twitter.com/pPDJx5S1oK
— Mayor Vi Lyles (@CLTMayor) December 5, 2019
