Columbus Crew fans celebrate after securing a win. (flickr via Jim Bach)
Around this time last year, Anthony Precourt, CEO of Precourt Sports Ventures and owner of the Columbus Crew SC, announced that he was considering the relocation of the beloved soccer team to Austin, TX—a shock to many. Outraged fans took to social media to express their dissent, even creating the #SaveTheCrew hashtag that soon went viral, attracting nationwide attention.
Precourt’s potential plan was impeded when the office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, representing the city of Columbus, sued Precourt Sports Ventures under the Modell Law, which asserts that state-funded sports teams must provide a six month notices of relocating intentions and also give local investors the opportunity of acquiring the team.
Throughout the year, Major League Soccer and the Columbus Partnership have been working together to address the above issues.
With a new development in place, things are beginning to look up for the #SaveTheCrew movement.
The owner of the Cleveland Browns, Jimmy Haslam, along with local investors led by real estate developer Peter Edwards, have stepped forward as potential buyers of the Columbus Crew with intentions of keeping the team in Ohio’s capital.
On Friday, October 12, MLS, the Columbus Partnership, and the proposed ownership group released a joint statement outlining details of a possible deal.
Columbus will retain the Columbus Crew team by paying an expansion fee to MLS.
Part of the agreement will be to build a new downtown stadium as the current MAPFRE Stadium, built in 1999, has become run-down due to substandard maintenance. There have been complaints of leaking toilets and concession stands with poor hygiene that create an unpleasant, unsanitary environment for visitors.
On the other hand, Precourt will be able to assume ownership of a new MLS team in Austin, which could begin playing in the league as soon as 2021.
If the deal goes through, it would set a precedent. No other grass-roots campaign has ever stopped the relocation of a sports team. This shows the enormous dedication of the Columbus Crew fans.
For now, they have a win in the books.
