Successful entrepreneur added to existing team ownership group and growing list of equity investors in Eleven Park private development plan
Indianapolis, IN [May 8, 2024] – Indy Eleven and Eleven Park Investment Group today announced that Fort Wayne entrepreneur Chuck Surack has joined as a co-owner of the team and investor in private development surrounding the planned MLS-eligible stadium. Together, this broad Indiana-based ownership group will be a source for equity investment in the team and Eleven Park and provides these ventures with access to billions in capital for current and future opportunities.
“It is clear to me that Indy Eleven and Eleven Park represent an unprecedented opportunity for downtown Indianapolis to finally embrace the kind of riverfront development that is transforming Fort Wayne and other cities across the country,” said Surack. “The strong foundation of community and fan support, coupled with the incredible chance to transcend sports through neighborhood redevelopment, is why I am joining this prominent group of business leaders from across the state. As a proud Hoosier, I am committed to investing my resources to support Indiana’s growth with like-minded people who have our state’s best interests at heart.”
As a prominent figure in the Indiana business and investment community, Surack has made a name for himself by recognizing potential and investing in people and projects with purpose.
Surack founded and led the Fort Wayne-based company Sweetwater for more than three decades. He sold part of his company to private equity in 2021 and continues to serve as Chairman. Over the course of his lengthy career as an entrepreneur, Surack and Surack Enterprises have founded and invested in dozens of additional successful business ventures. In addition, the Surack Family Foundation has become a leader in philanthropy, supporting regional nonprofit organizations and community assets across Indiana.
“Chuck Surack has changed our state for the better by consistently identifying opportunities for growth and investing his tireless energy into seizing those moments. That is why we are thrilled by his personal commitment to the growth of professional soccer through the Indy Eleven and to the vision of Eleven Park as a neighborhood investment,” said Ersal Ozdemir, founder and owner of Keystone Group and Indy Eleven. “Chuck shares in our vision for the world’s game in Indiana, and our belief that by building more than just a stadium, Eleven Park will have lasting impact on Indianapolis as a whole.” Ozdemir added, “the addition of a Hoosier billionaire to an already strong Indy Eleven ownership group further solidifies our Indiana ownership group to bring MLS and the transformational riverfront development, Eleven Park, to Indianapolis.”
Surack joins Ozdemir and a respected list of Indiana investors who share in the vision for Indy Eleven and Eleven Park, including: Ricker Family, Salin Family, Traylor Family, Hageman Family, Jeff Laborsky (The Heritage Group), Fred Merritt (LFM Investments.), Brian Bauer (IU Health), Don Gottwald (Speedring Capital)
Additional biographical information on investors can be found at: www.indyeleven.com
The Eleven Park development is in downtown Indianapolis’ southwest quadrant at the riverfront site which for more than 100 years was occupied by the Diamond Chain Company. The site is adjacent to the new Elanco headquarters currently well into construction, just a block away from Lucas Oil Stadium, Victory Field, and the Indiana Convention Center and near the Eli Lilly & Company global headquarters and the Indianapolis Zoo. Eleven Park will be anchored by a 20,000-seat multipurpose stadium that will be the permanent home for Indy Eleven’s men’s and women’s professional teams. Eleven Park will also include more than 600 apartments, office and retail space, along with restaurants, hotels, public plazas and green space.
###
About Indy Eleven Professional Soccer
Since its launch in 2013, Indy Eleven’s dedication to its club and community has been driven by empowering a culture of excellence through its players and staff, staying true to its aim of fielding teams that represent the State of Indiana proudly on and off the field. The men’s professional soccer team currently plays in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship, a 24-team professional soccer league based across the United States. Indy Eleven also recently acquired a new top-tier women’s professional team in the Super League and is home to the USL W League 2023 National Champions. In addition to USL Academy operations, Pro Academies now operate in both MLS Next and ECNL. Indy Eleven established a youth development program that has grown to over 18,000 children via affiliated youth clubs across Indiana and into Illinois. Learn more at indyeleven.com
