http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-74463639/
New investor could bring soccer franchise, stadium to Orlando
Businessman Flávio Augusto da Silva is now part of the Orlando City Lions ownership group and will eventually be its primary owner.
By Mark Schlueb and David Damron, Orlando Sentinel
6:32 pm, February 17, 2013
A wealthy Brazilian entrepreneur became a major investor in the Orlando City Soccer Club on Friday, bringing an influx of cash that makes it much more likely that Orlando will land a Major League Soccer franchise — and that taxpayers will help foot the bill for a new soccer stadium.
In an exclusive interview with the Orlando Sentinel on Sunday, Orlando City Lions president Phil Rawlins and businessman Flávio Augusto da Silva confirmed that he is now part of the team's ownership group and will eventually be its primary owner. The investment is a major step in the minor league USL Pro team's effort to gain entry into Major League Soccer.
"Orlando is a very special city, because it is very close to the South American market and close to the European market, two regions that really love soccer," Augusto da Silva said. "We were researching a franchise in another place, but we believe Orlando is a really good city to invest."
At the same time, negotiations are under way between team executives and officials from Orlando and Orange County over building a new $105 million stadium for the team. Taxpayers would pay most of the tab for the 18,000-seat facility.
"A soccer-specific stadium is a must for the award of an MLS franchise," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
MLS plans to expand in the next few years and is eyeing the Southeast, where it has no teams. League Commissioner Don Garber has all but promised Orlando City Soccer Club a franchise, but a smaller stadium designed specifically for soccer is a prerequisite for admission.
Using a mix of hotel taxes and other public and private funding, the city finished the new Amway Center NBA arena in 2010, is in the middle of building a new downtown performing arts center and this year will begin major renovations of the Citrus Bowl — where the Lions now play. All together, that construction boom will cost more than $1.1 billion.
The soccer stadium would be a new addition to that list. So far, all discussions about whether to build it and how to pay for it have taken place behind closed doors.
There's been no agreement on a financing plan between Dyer's administration and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs' administration. But here is what's being discussed:
•$30 million from the team.
•$30 million in state sales taxes.
•$25 million in hotel taxes from the county.
•$20 million from the city, mostly in land costs.
"This is moving far quicker than I ever anticipated," Dyer said. "There is a lot going on right now, and there are a lot of moving pieces."
Rawlins defended the use of public dollars for the facility, pointing to a study commissioned by the team that found an MLS team playing in a downtown stadium would produce a $1.3 billion economic impact over 30 years. Under the proposal being discussed, there would be no increase in hotel taxes, he said, and the sales taxes represent money generated by the stadium.
"This is a net positive for the community," Rawlins said.
Even so, it's not a sure thing.
The state funding depends on the fate of bills filed by State Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, and state Rep. Bryan Nelson, R-Apopka. The bills would add up to two new MLS franchises to the list of professional sports teams already eligible to receive $2 million a year in sales tax subsidies, money that could go to the stadium's construction.
"It's pretty important that we get it done," Nelson said. "MLS could go to Atlanta or another city in the South."
Gov. Rick Scott has expressed support for the legislation, but that's no guarantee it will pass.
And Jacobs is taking a cautious approach. She said she wants to be sure the venues already being supported by the county's hotel tax are fully funded before committing to a new stadium, at least in the short term. Jacobs also worries that a new stadium could cannibalize ticket sales at other public venues, including the Citrus Bowl, where Orlando City now plays.
"I would love to see it. I happen to be a big soccer fan. It's the number one international sport. I get all of that," Jacobs said. "But we've had two soccer teams in the state of Florida, MLS teams, that didn't make it in the past. I think we just have to be cautious when we're talking about major public investments."
At $30 million, the team's portion of the stadium bill would be substantial, as well. On top of the construction cost, the Lions also would be expected to pay a franchise fee to join MLS. The amount is negotiated, but a source familiar with the talks estimated it at $50 million — putting the Lions' admission costs at around $80 million.
That's why, from the perspective of the team's ownership, it was critical to bring Augusto da Silva into the mix.
With a small loan, Augusto da Silva started a company to teach English to adult professionals in Rio De Janeiro. That was in 1995, and the company — Wise Up — now has more than 400 schools in five countries. On Feb. 7, his birthday, Augusto da Silva sold Wise Up's parent company to Abril Educação, a major communications group. The deal gave him capital and a stake in Abril Educação.
As Augusto da Silva's investment in the Orlando City increases with the presumed transition to MLS, his shares in the team will increase, eventually making him the principal owner.
Really, really bummed for the kid. First reports are it was a clean break and an easy reset. Should help speed up the recovery.
This is almost the only thread I post in anymore. 
