NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Music City’s progress towards an MLS expansion franchise is gaining a more unified front.
The Tennessean‘s Joey Garrison is reporting that David Dill, co-owner of the local investor group DMD Soccer, is one of five new members joining Nashville’s organizing committee with the intent of positioning for a bid in the league’s next round of expansion.
Dill, along with partners Christopher Redhage and Marcus Whitney, were awarded a United Soccer League franchise this past May. Nashville SC, the team’s name, will begin USL play in the Spring 2018. Currently, the team does not have a facility secured to play in.
“As we all have the same goal of seeing the highest tier of professional soccer here in Nashville, it makes sense for me to take a leadership role in the MLS Organizing Committee,” Dill said in a statement. “Nashville SC is very committed to the USL, but we also want to do all we can to support bringing the MLS to Nashville.”
The USL is two levels below MLS, the highest level of professional soccer in the United States, but will be instrumental in determining whether MLS is sustainable in Nashville moving forward.
Led by prominent Nashville businessman Bill Hagerty, the now 27-member organizing committee added Dill along with four other members. President of ABC of Greater Tennessee Toby Compton, executive director of the Tennessee State Soccer Association Hans Hobson, Davidson County Criminal Court clerk Howard Gentry and president & CEO of the Nashville Sports Council Scott Ramsey are among the newest members of the organizing committee that will serve in an advisory role. Hagerty and his compatriots committed to pushing for an MLS team in August, rather than settling for a minor-league franchise.
The MLS currently consists of 20 clubs but plans to add Atlanta and Minneapolis-St. Paul expansion teams in 2017. Commission Don Garber has made it know his plan will be to bring the league to 28 teams; Nashville MLS Steering Committee members hope to have a competitive bid ready in time for the 28-team expansion.
Information from The Tennessean contributed to this report.
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