CT United FC’s stadium plans took a turn on Friday as the Connecticut Post reported the proposed site in Bridgeport will not receive funding from the Connecticut government.
Late Friday, Rob Blanchard, the spokesperson to Governor Ned Lamont, and Economic Development Commissioner Daniel O’Keefe confirmed that no state funding would be going to the Bridgeport site.
It appears that previous and ongoing funding and changes to the Connecticut sports landscape are the reasons behind the move.
One of these projects includes a $145 million renovation of the People’s Bank Arena in Hartford. The state of Connecticut has also been hard at work in hopes of keeping WNBA side Connecticut Sun in the state.
Connecticut is also bracing itself for the reported departure of AHL side Bridgeport Islanders while $15 million in state dollars are going to the municipal entertainment area they played at.
“It all added up to make it his decision,” O’Keefe said.
Following Friday’s news, Bridgeport Mayor Tom Gaudett expressed his disappointment in the decision. “We’re obviously disappointed. We’ve put a lot of time and energy into this.”
It’s worth noting that Governor Lamont did set aside $16 million in state funds to help clean up the proposed site.
In previous interviews, Lamant has called the reported $127 million for the proposed stadium “a pretty big ask”.
State Representative Christopher Rosario called Friday’s decision disappointing, but not shocking.
“I wasn’t getting the 'warm and fuzzies' from the (Connecticut) Department of Economic and Community Development and those in the governor’s office that are going to support the project. It left doubts.”
While Friday’s news in no way rules out a Bridgeport stadium, it does throw a bit of a wrench into the plan as the club will have to find another source of funding to complete the project.
2026 will see the club play home games during its inaugural season at several unannounced venues throughout the state of Connecticut.
CT United FC’s inaugural game will take place on March 1st when they travel to NKU Soccer Park in Highland Heights, Kentucky, to face FC Cincinnati 2 at 6 PM.
Their first game in the state of Connecticut will take place on April 11th when they host Columbus Crew 2 at an unannounced venue at 5 PM.
