Ally Financial to sponsor Panthers' MLS franchise bid

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There is a new milestone in Charlotte's push for a Major League Soccer team.

[Hopeful Charlotte reps meet with MLS brass about expansion]

Ally Financial announced Friday that it would pay for advertising rights on the future team's jerseys if chosen as an expansion.

A group backed by Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper is trying to secure one of the three available expansion franchises in MLS.

Mint City Collective is trying to drum up enough support to prove the Charlotte area wants soccer

“Our main focus right now is just building the community,” co-founder Kendall Jackson said.

They are also backed by one of the founders from the international Panthers fan club, the Roaring Riot.

“If we have the community backing it out here, we’ll get it in there,” Jackson said.

Sacramento and St. Louis are the top contenders for the first two teams set to be announced at the end of the month.

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Cox Media Group