Senators Sports and Entertainment has launched a bid to bring a Major League Soccer team to Ottawa and build a world-class stadium to host the team, Eugene Melnyk, who owns the sports company, announced Tuesday.
Melnyk, who also owns the Senators hockey team, said soccer has a “global reach and presence,” and he is “excited and very proud” about the bid for an Ottawa team.
To win the bid, Ottawa will need to have a soccer-specific stadium, said Cyril Leeder, COO of the sports company.He said the stadium’s cost would be in the $100-million range and would be located on empty city-owned property adjacent to Scotiabank Place, home of the Ottawa Senators.
It would seat up to 30,000 people and feature five community soccer pitches alongside it and a permanent stage, said Melnyk.
Tickets would be family affordable, said Leeder, adding the average MLS ticket is $22.
Ottawa is competing with eight North American cities for the bid, two of which will be awarded franchises that would enter the league in 2011.
The winners will be revealed later this year or in 2009.
A name and logo for the team will be decided if Ottawa wins the franchise, said Melnyk.