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David J. Ziemba
The Brickyard Battalion formed in 2011 to bring the world’s game to Indiana. We did that in 2013 in partnership with the mayor’s office.
For nearly 400 games, Indy Eleven has played in downtown Indianapolis. To hear representatives of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration tell it, however, the 10,000-plus fans who cheer on the city’s soccer team at Carroll Stadium don’t exist. Hogsett himself has cheered alongside us, wearing our scarves, singing our songs and enjoying a women’s team national championship just this past summer.
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The mayor’s sudden announcement a few weeks ago that he would pursue a Major League Soccer expansion club at a new downtown site, oddly on our team’s 11th birthday, shocked us considering the city failed to support the two previous attempts to obtain a MLS franchise. Our membership and I have been in a sprint ever since.
As a veteran of Indiana and national politics, this environment was not new to me. However, I have found the machinations incredibly complex and disappointing.
The parties involved have chosen to continue an increasingly embarrassing tit-for-tat in public, decreasing the odds that any investor or MLS would ever want to come here. I fear that the time for collaboration has gone from a beacon of hope to a dwindling glint in my eye.
The possibility of losing professional soccer altogether is more likely than not. The past 5,000-plus days of Indianapolis professional soccer could be washed away for good. Frankly, that tragedy is avoidable only if responsible adults could put whatever grievances exist aside and talk.
We proudly display a banner around the country at away matches that reads: “Where You Go; We Will Follow.” We’ve followed Indy Eleven from two different leagues over eleven seasons through wins, trophies and more losses than we care to admit. This love is not for cowards. Wherever Indy Eleven goes? We will follow.
If it’s not our XI, we cannot guarantee the level of support known the world over in the future. And, if those in power cannot put their differences aside, I cannot guarantee how many of us will be left when the dust settles.
We urge the unknown investors to come forward now so they, and the financial backing they bring, can be vetted by the public. We urge Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir and Keystone Group to continue their willingness to negotiate with all parties. We urge the city to lead in bringing these two sides together or agree to allow us to do it for them.
We urge everyone to do so before it’s too late and Indianapolis is left with nothing but resentful memories and shattered soccer dreams.
David J. Ziemba is president of the Brickyard Battalion, an independent supporter group for Indy Eleven. He is also CEO of the BYB’s philanthropic arm, the Indy Forever Foundation.
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