24 to watch in 2024: Bill Shively bringing new stadium, pro women’s soccer to Lexington
The Lexington Herald-Leader is profiling 24 individuals this month that you should be keeping an eye on in 2024. The selected group represents a cross-section of industries, political parties, missions and the state itself. We believe each is notable for their contributions to Kentucky, as well as their plans for the next 12 months.
Who: Bill Shively, Lexington Sporting Club majority owner.
Background: Ever since Lexington was awarded a USL League One franchise — the third-tier of American men’s professional soccer — in October 2021, Shively has been a prominent figure as the majority owner of the franchise.
Shively has enjoyed success in many lines of work: From an insurance agency in Florida to Dixiana Farm in Lexington, and he’s stressed the youth sports aspect of his latest project that’s already made a mark on the Central Kentucky sports landscape.
Lexington Sporting Club (LSC) boasts a wide array of men’s, women’s and youth teams.
Why 2024 will be notable: In addition to featuring the second season of the flagship LSC senior men’s team (which missed the USL League One playoffs during its debut 2023 season), 2024 will bring the debut season for LSC’s team in the USL Super League, a new professional women’s soccer league.
The new year also includes a new, permanent, soccer-specific stadium for LSC that is being built off Athens Boonesboro Road, near Interstate 75 in Lexington.
The new stadium — which will initially seat more than 5,000 fans with the ability to ultimately expand to accommodate as many as 11,000 — is expected to be ready to host matches this summer. The stadium will be adjacent to LSC’s existing youth sports fields at the same location.
During a formal groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium in the fall, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said more than $92 million is estimated to be generated over the next decade from the stadium.
What others say: “First off, (Shively’s) track record. He has been successful in every venture and has found success in areas that most don’t. Secondly, his level of commitment for a true community project is unlike anything I have ever seen. And most importantly, he doesn’t care about getting the credit for anything, allowing for the best product and the greatest outcomes.” — Vince Gabbert, president of Lexington Sporting Club.
What Shively says: “The whole reason for this, for me, is investing in children. I think the fact that we can get children to play soccer, learn how to play a sport, have the discipline and work ethic that comes with soccer, that’s really what drove me into this business. ... We’re going to build a great facility, it’s going to be safe and we’re going to have family entertainment. This is so the kids can see the pros practice, play with the pros,” Shively said in October during a formal announcement of the new LSC stadium.
