Why Austin's move is not going to work and why the crew will end up in San Antonio

I don't know why they would consider Vancouver either. They're the best supported local team in terms of attendances, though probably not in actual support.
Vancouver attendances.
MLS - 21,416 (101%) (capacity increased for 2 games)
CFL - 19,858.0 (72.21%)
NHL- 17,703 (93.6%)

 

Small market, facility not as good a situation as most of the other small markets, fluctuating exchange rates, dealing with two federations, eliminating the USL team, low current value, and I'm not sure multi-owner groups are preferable to a single well-heeled individual.

But they aren't particularly likely to be moved without a sale, and Greg Kerfoot has money to spare and a love for Canadian soccer. It's more likely he consolidates and buys out his partners, but with someone as withdrawn as he is (some say reclusive), it's harder to know exactly what to expect.

Honestly, if one looks at the various lower valued teams, there isn't one that stands out as a potential victim. I've spent some time on this the last couple days, and I'm still with Colorado first and Vancouver second, but they are less at risk than they seem at a glance. What is likely is that some big market teams owned by non-billionaires or unmotivated owners will be bought without being relocated; Philadelphia, Houston, and Chicago have too much potential where they are.

 

It's not Butler park.. it is Butler Shores off of Toomey Road.

 

Maybe I'm looking at Vancouver from a different perspective:

• Bigger metro area than Charlotte, Portland, San Antonio, Orlando, Sac, Cincy, KC, Salt Lake, Austin;
• 7th best attendance in MLS, despite artificial cap;
• Rapidly growing TV ratings, consistent with TFC and Montreal;
• Close to downtown
• Accessible by public transit;
• Brand recognition going back 45 years;
• Fierce regional rivalries - Cascadia and Canada.

 

I went to a Vancouver game in 2013. Walked from my friend's place across the bridge to get to it in about 30 minutes. Nice, bright, airy, noisy and full. They were playing Philly and lost, but the crowd was always in it. I don't see them leaving anytime soon.

 

To be clear, I don't see Vancouver as very likely to move, either. Just slightly more so than most. There's really not any other team with a situation even remotely comparable to Columbus. (Which itself could be largely resolved by selling to a well-heeled local who has better connections to the business community and municipalities of central Ohio.)

Other teams highly likely to be sold in the next few years are in big markets, which a new owner would be motivated to stay in; could you see a strong business reason for a buyer to abandon Chicago, Houston, or Philadelphia for somewhere half that large (at best)? Or for the league to sign off on a sale likely to result in such a move?

 

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...m_term=265085&subid=18117530&CMP=EMCFTBEML853

The Crew want to move to Austin – but does Austin want the Crew?

The MLS franchise is planning to leave Columbus and move 1,200 miles to the south. But not everyone in their proposed home would welcome them

 

yeah maybe not...

Ohio attorney general, City of Columbus sue Crew ownership, MLS

http://sbisoccer.com/2018/03/ohio-attorney-general-city-of-columbus-sue-crew-ownership-mls

 

San Antonio already has an expansion bid, a wealthy ownership group, a stadium and city backing.

 

This afternoon we have some kind of an announcement

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/01/10/austins-legendary-announcement-scheduled-tuesday