CSU Moves Towards Possible USL Partnership for Redevelopment of the Wolstein Center
by Ken Prendergast, NEOTrans | Aug. 28, 2025 | 5:30 PM
Courtesy of CSU and Sasaki
The article is published as part of an exclusive content-sharing agreement with neo-trans.blog.
The Cleveland State University (CSU) Board of Trustees voted today to approve the recommendation to begin negotiations with the United Soccer League (USL) and USL Cleveland on their proposal for the potential redevelopment of the current Wolstein Center site.
CSU will work with the USL and USL Cleveland toward developing a mutually satisfactory agreement consistent with the proposal, CSU’s current Strategic Plan Cleveland State United and its ongoing commitment to CSU athletics.
Earlier this year, the board supported commencement of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to seek interest from the community concerning partnering with CSU to redevelop the Wolstein Center site in alignment with CSU’s Master Plan and current Strategic Plan: Cleveland State United. Following the RFQ process, CSU issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in May 2025.
The University reviewed proposals that were unique in concept and vision, imagining a new space on the Wolstein Center site that could meet CSU’s goals for the site. The committee that reviewed both the RFQ and RFP proposals decided unanimously to forward the USL proposal to the Board for consideration and direction on next steps.
“This project is about more than a new stadium. It’s about transforming our campus, creating opportunities for our University community and contributing to the revitalization of downtown Cleveland,” said CSU President Laura Bloomberg in a written statement.
“The Wolstein Center has been a key part of our campus and the city for the past 35 years, and we will honor this legacy going forward,” she added. “Our priority now is to continue providing our athletes, our entire basketball community, and the general public with state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.”
The proposal envisions a vibrant, mixed-use district anchored by a sustainable, multipurpose, open-air stadium that could host men’s and women’s professional soccer, amateur sporting events, concerts, festivals, commencement ceremonies, and community gatherings that drive year-round activity and tourism.
“As a proud alum of CSU Law and former resident of downtown Cleveland, I know firsthand the passion this city has for sports,” said Justin Papadakis, deputy CEO and chief real estate Officer of the USL, the largest professional soccer organization in the United States.
“This project has the potential to be a game-changer for Cleveland State and the entire region, creating a vibrant, community-focused hub that will drive economic growth, foster local pride and enhance the city’s reputation as a sports destination,” Papadakis said.
USL Cleveland, led by co-founders Tim Junglas and Kevin Patrick Murphy, is working in partnership with the USL to bring professional soccer to Cleveland, the largest U.S. media market without a team. It is not clear how this correlates with Cleveland Pro Soccer seeking a Gateway South soccer stadium for men’s and women’s teams in Major League Soccer (MLS) NEXT Pro and Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) PRO.
“As lifelong Clevelanders, this project is a personal commitment to making Cleveland a top soccer market,” Junglas said. “We’re excited about its potential impact on Northeast Ohio.”
“This is about building something enduring, something that benefits Cleveland for generations,” Murphy said. “We want a professional soccer team deeply connected to this city, its people and its future.”
Cleveland State is at the beginning of the Wolstein Center site redevelopment journey. Construction would not potentially commence for two to three years, allowing time for CSU to continue to explore new spaces and opportunities for staff and for men’s and women’s basketball.
Two years ago, CSU had planned a new arena on Payne Avenue, overlooking Interstate 90. Work had progressed to where CSU had narrowed its arena development partners to four finalists before halting any further work. Budgetary issues reportedly were the issue, as CSU began making budget cuts in recent years.
“We are grateful to the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees for exploring this opportunity to advance economic development in downtown Cleveland,” said Michael Deemer, president and CEO of Downtown Cleveland. “This proposed redevelopment will boost job density, drive tourism and increase activity in our downtown core. The USL and its partnership with Cleveland State exemplify how aligned goals can drive momentum in the city’s core.”
The Wolstein Center operates at a deficit of $1 million or more a year, according to multiple sources. But CSU student-athletes, fans, community supporters, and the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, will remain a priority throughout this process, CSU officials said.
They added that it’s important to note, amid the natural excitement of this prospect, that this process is in the very early stages and nothing will change in the immediate future for the student-athletes, fans and community members currently using the Wolstein Center.
CSU officials said they are excited at the possibilities that such a partnership might have for its students and student-athletes. This new partnership has the potential to be a transformational experience for all CSU Athletics programs, elevating its facilities and continuing to allow Cleveland State to recruit and retain championship-caliber student-athletes.
The partnership could also allow for access to exclusive internship opportunities for all CSU students that would provide invaluable real-world experience in a professional sports environment. The internships would complement many of CSU’s academic programs, such as sport and entertainment management, health and fitness, operations and business.
Ironically, just yesterday, the Cleveland Crunch franchise of Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS), said it signed a one-year agreement with CSU to play six regular season home games at the Wolstein Center for the 2025-26 season. The Crunch used to play its home games at the Wolstein Center, including winning it 1996 championship there.
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Ken Prendergast, NEOTrans
Ken Prendergast is a local professional journalist who loves and cares about Cleveland, its history and its development. He has worked as a journalist for more than three decades for publications such as NEOtrans, Sun Newspapers, Ohio Passenger Rail News, Passenger Transport, and others. He also provided consulting services to transportation agencies, real estate firms, port authorities and nonprofit organizations. He runs NEOtrans Blog covers the Greater Cleveland region’s economic, development, real estate, construction and transportation news since 2011. His content is published on Cleveland Magazine as part of an exclusive sharing agreement.
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