Indy Eleven planning for 2017 despite league defections, questions

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Indy Eleven planning for 2017 despite league defections, questions

October 27, 2016

Anthony Schoettle

Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir remains bullish on the North American Soccer League despite the defection of two of its teams to the rival United Soccer League this week.

On the team’s Facebook page, Ozdemir said he’s not only looking forward to the team’s playoff run—which begins Nov. 5 at IUPUI’s track and soccer stadium—but already planning for the 2017 NASL season.

To that end, Eleven officials are putting next year's season tickets on sale Friday morning.

On Tuesday, owners of the NASL teams in Tampa Bay and Ottawa announced they are leaving the 12-team league for the USL, which is affiliated with Major League Soccer.

Those defections, coupled with the plans of the league’s Minnesota club to join the MLS next season and serious financial difficulties plaguing NASL teams in Fort Lauderdale and Oklahoma City, have many wondering about the stability of the league.