ROSWELL, Ga. — United Soccer League Deputy CEO Justin Papadakis says a key aspect of his organization’s plan with Roswell is to advance women’s soccer.
Papadakis, a Roswell native, was joined by Roswell Mayor Kurt Wilson and others in a press briefing March 26, the day after councilmembers approved the league’s letter of intent to partner with the city for an anticipated stadium and entertainment district.
If negotiations go well, the stadium will house a USL Super League professional women’s team and a USL Championship professional men’s team. The organization would also serve as the “anchor tenant” of the stadium and have the right of first refusal to serve as the stadium operator/manager.
“There’s been so much investment in men’s sports across the country, and definitely in Georgia and Atlanta, and so to have a stadium that provides an equal platform for the women, just showcase and have a first-class fan experience, is critical,” Papadakis said.
There’s a “strong path” in Roswell to have the largest women-anchored stadium and entertainment district in the world, he said, and the decision to select Roswell for the project in part spawned from Atlanta United proving there was potential for soccer in the area.
“Just as Atlanta United show with the men’s side, [that] this would be a top soccer market in the country, no doubt we can show that on the women’s side,” Papadakis said.
U.S. Soccer also announced last December that it selected Fayette County for the location of the National Training Center, and Atlanta was chosen as the host city for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The league’s letter of intent speaks to a nine-month exclusive negotiation with the city. The site for the stadium has not been selected, though it will seat at least 10,000, and Wilson said costs for the project are too early to…
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