Soccer Funding Bill Still Not in Goal

Legislation to earmark income tax revenue from professional soccer players to help finance a Major League Soccer stadium in Portland received a hearing this week, but not final action.

House Revenue took testimony on House Bill 2531, but a work session will wait until next week when an amendment is ready.

Based on a similar proposal for Major League Baseball enacted in a previous legislative session, HB 2531 is intended to sequester $31 million in income tax payments from professional soccer players to help pay for bonds issued by the City of Portland to retrofit PGE Park to meet MLS standards. The professional soccer league requires a stadium with a playing field surrounded by seating and a grass turf.

Rep. Nick Kahl, D-Portland, questioned representatives of the Portland Timbers about derailed plans to move the Portland Beavers baseball team to a new stadium.  Both teams are owned by Merritt Paulson, who is continuing to negotiate a financial deal with Portland city officials.

Team representatives said negotiations with Portland are continuing, now centering on a baseball stadium in the Lents neighborhood. An earlier proposal to tear down Memorial Coliseum and place the baseball stadium there fell through under pressure from architects and veterans who favor retaining the facility.