Columbus Crew to Austin Texas?

I'm still not sure I trust MLS.....

Actually, I'm sure.

I don't trust MLS.

But, we'll see,

 

Yes. Part of the attraction for Haslam is building a combined Browns/Crew training facility in the area. It will help his existing team's marketing in the area. Columbus city is about double the size of Cleveland city and Columbus metro is growing quickly while Cleveland isn't.

 

Haslam is going to pay an expansion fee to get in the league and probably buy Mapfre stadium. Precourt keeps his IO rights and SUM shares and has the right to start a team in Austin if he gets the stadium situation worked out.

 

I am (cautiously) happy for the CBus fanbase, who have gone through two years of absolute hell trying to get this toxic owner out of your team's hair.

As a NBA Kings fan who went through the whole Maloof blowup, I know exactly what you guys are going through, and I'm happy that it seems to be working out.

That said...

Eff Precourt in his left ear. That smarmy SOB is still gonna end up screwing a fanbase, only instead of Columbus getting screwed (in effect they only got foreplay), it appears that San Antonio is gonna get screwed deeply and quickly, and probably without the common courtesy of a reach-around.

I really hope that the citizens down in Austin tell PSV to go piss up a rope. It'll be funny as hell to see Precourt sitting down there in Austin with the "rights" to play in a city that doesn't even want his dumb ass.

 

The team needs somewhere to play in 2019, and maybe 2020. Precourt owns Mapfre, and the team can play there until then. This will give Precourt some money... Maybe enough to afford somewhere to play in Austin before the stadium is completed at McKalla.

Mapfre will likely be taken over/reconfigured for the fairgrounds. Maybe the quarter horse congress.

 

That I doubt. But I wouldn't bet against a friendly or two against a recognizable European team at FirstEnergy Stadium. (It's not like they do much else with the place in the summer.)

------RM

 

They need the stadium because they need a place to play next year.

There is no chance of MLS approving a purchase without a downtown stadium plan.

The stadium will end up belonging to the state expo commission ( the state fair people). They own the land where it sits.

They could decide to keep it to stage events but I suspect maintenance costs would prove prohibitive.

We'll see

 

So from my understanding the team's Dr's son also named Pete is the minority owner.

 

No,it's another Pete Edwards,Jr.

Which,seriously,how Ohio is that?

 

I can see it already Austin vs Columbus in a Clasico/Rivalry without the need for MLS to shove it down everyones throat. The sports hatred will be there before it even begins.

 

Crew's main rival will be FCC. Hell is real. But we'll have a secondary rivalry with Austin if they ever get off the ground and as long as they're owned by Precourt.

 

I doubt it but did SJ fans even care enough like the Crew fans?

 

FCC = Hell is real.
Crew = Love is real. Not fade away.

 

Hopefully the new owners will bring back the construction crew guys even if it's just as a secondary logo. I knew Precourt was a jerk the moment he got rid of that time honored, widely recognized, and beloved symbol.

 

ESPN says it is the crew team Dr.
"In a joint statement, the Columbus Partnership, Jimmy Haslam, and Dr. Pete Edwards, the Crews' team doctor"

http://www.espn.com/soccer/major-le...negotiations-with-mls-to-buy-columbus-crew-sc

 

Will the Trillium Cup finally die?

 

While this is a huge step forward, it seems it's not a completely done deal. That said, all indications are positve. So good that an MLS original will be saved. Anything specific on a new stadium?

 

You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

 

Yeeeeeeees!!!

There Will be MLS with a Columbus team!

 

They already paid to make the trophy so I'd guess it will still be around. Nobody cares about it.

 

Two questions

Is Austin still looking for a temporary venue or are they not starting until the stadium is built now (aside from possibly a few games at UT if the stadium isn't finished until midseason)?

Does anyone think that the Browns Stadium may end up as home for the Crew USL team?