Green Bay RDA approves exclusive letter of intent with United Soccer League to study stadium feasibility
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Summary
The Redevelopment Authority voted to approve a nonbinding exclusive letter of intent with the United Soccer League to study sites, financing and feasibility for a proposed 5,000‑seat stadium in Green Bay; the LOI makes exclusivity binding through Sept. 2026 and requires USL to cover predevelopment costs.
The Green Bay Redevelopment Authority on a unanimous voice vote approved an exclusive letter of intent (LOI) with the United Soccer League (USL) to explore bringing a professional men’s and women’s soccer franchise and at least a 5,000‑seat stadium to the city.
Rebecca, a city redevelopment staff member who presented the proposal, said the LOI’s central purpose is to “enter into a period of exclusive, good faith discussions and negotiations to evaluate the feasibility of bringing the professional soccer league to the city and to explore potential sites, financing methods [and] potential development partners.” She told the authority the LOI is nonbinding except for its exclusivity terms and does not obligate the city to provide funding for a stadium; USL would assume predevelopment costs such as feasibility studies, financial modeling and design concepts.
Mayor Evan said the opportunity is principally an economic‑development play for Green Bay, noting the intangible benefits professional sports can bring and the potential for ancillary mixed‑use development to generate tourism and retail activity. “For us, it’s really about economic development,” he said.
The LOI would prevent USL from soliciting or pursuing other stadium opportunities in Brown County and select neighboring counties during the exclusivity period, which staff said would run from execution through September 2026 with the option for up to two six‑month extensions by mutual agreement. Any future agreements involving public incentives, city funding or development agreements would return to the RDA and then to Common Council for separate approval.
Rebecca recommended that the RDA forward the LOI to the Common Council for consideration at the council’s Nov. 11 meeting; the authority approved forwarding the recommendation by voice vote.
The immediate next procedural step is consideration by Common Council; the LOI itself does not commit the city to construction or public financing.
