Green Bay council approves exclusive USL letter of intent to explore pro soccer franchise

The Green Bay Common Council on Nov. 11 approved an exclusive letter of intent with the United Soccer League, moving the city a step closer to pursuing a professional men’s and women’s soccer franchise.

Justin Pecodakis, chief executive of the USL, told the council the league seeks community‑driven ownership and emphasized that “professional sports requires a stadium” as the first threshold for a franchise. He said the league prefers locally held ownership groups and will work in parallel on site selection, branding and investor outreach.

Mayor [name] framed the vote as part of a broader economic development strategy, describing the partnership as an opportunity to bring “sports‑oriented development” and activity that could support revitalization in target neighborhoods. Council members questioned Pecodakis about whether teams would be locally owned and how the USL has worked with youth leagues in other cities.

Councilors approved the motion by voice vote after opening the floor to public comment and receiving a brief presentation from USL staff. The motion carries no immediate financial commitment; it grants the USL an exclusivity period to explore potential stadium locations, financing and partners and to return to the council with a more detailed proposal if feasible.

What happens next: staff and the Redevelopment Authority will continue technical work on potential sites and development agreements. Any land use, zoning or public financing proposals would return to council for separate votes.