Is pro soccer coming back to Wilmington? Here's what we know right now

Since the Wilmington Hammerheads played their final game of the 2016 season in the USL, fans of pro soccer have been hoping they would return to Legion Stadium.

There was a season in the USL Premier Development League in 2017 that involved college players, but nothing since then.

That could change in two years, however.

The United Soccer League announced in a Friday night press release that a group has been given exclusive rights to negotiate for the city to have a team in time for the 2024 USL League One season.

It's super early in the process, but even the possibility elicited positive reaction on social media Friday night. Here's what's been said, and where there could be early questions.

Who is involved in this ownership group?

According to the press release, Scott Sullivan, the co-founder of locally run Cameron Management, is the primary investor.

Chris Mumford, a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and former professional player Dewan Bader are also part of the group.

“The USL is excited to work with Scott, Chris, Dewan and the entire Wilmington community on this transformational project,” USL Chief Operating Officer Justin Papadakis said in the press release. “USL to Wilmington’s strengths include local ownership, a collaborative mindset and expertise in real estate, business and soccer – all of which make a great recipe for success.”

Where will team play?

The automatic assumption would have been Legion Stadium, but the press release says that the group wants to build a soccer-specific stadium, along with other sports fields and a mixed-use development that would include a food hall concept.

“We believe that it is critically important to have what we call an outdoor community center – anchored by a soccer-specific stadium – that provides a mix of wellness, entertainment and sports in one district,” Mumford said in the press release.

Where they would put that is unknown. But with Cameron's backing, finding the land might not be as difficult as it might seem, even in a Wilmington market that is tight on space.

What league would this be?

USL League One is the third tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada, below Major League Soccer and the USL Championship.

The division has 11 teams, with two expansion teams set for 2023. Old rivals Richmond Kickers and Charlotte Independence are part of the league. Nearly half of the teams are located within a 6-hour drive of Wilmington (Statesboro, Ga.; Greenville, S.C.; Raleigh; Richmond; Charlotte).

Can they be called the Hammerheads?

Local fans would certainly like that, wouldn't they?

The massive local youth soccer organization has that name from the pro club's former ties. It's unknown right now if a new club could use the name.

Dan Spears is the sports editor for the Wilmington StarNews, and Southeast Regional sports editor for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at Dan.Spears@StarNewsOnline.com or on Twitter @DanSpears.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Group given rights to bring USL League One soccer to Wilmington NC