Major League Soccer’s rapid growth continued today with the announcement of a new team, the league’s 30th, which will be located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The league made a joint announcement with the franchise’s owners today to let fans and journalists from around the world know that Major League Soccer’s thirtieth team is only a year away from becoming a reality.
Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper paid a $375 million fee to found the franchise, which will become the first MLS franchise in North Carolina. The team is set to share Bank of America stadium with Tepper’s National Football League franchise.
Despite the announcement coming near the end of 2019, due to the availability of a stadium in which the team can play as well as the league’s enthusiasm to get the new Charlotte project running, only just over a year will pass between today’s announcement and the team’s first match.
Tepper expressed optimism about the league’s newest franchise, stating, “(There are) seven-plus million people within an hour and a half drive. The only city that has only two major sports. No major league summer sport in Charlotte.”
“It’s sort of a perfect storm for a community.”
Charlotte’s official team name is yet to be announced.
