http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/...es-and-Governing-Bodies/Garber-Interview.aspx 9'31" "We have been working to try to find a local partner in Columbus, Ohio, for the Columbus Crew. The Hunts still own two MLS teams; they have made a committment to get out, and we're encouraging them to do so, but we'll only do so with the right owner, so we are spending a lot of time on that." - Don Garber.
MLS wants to sell this team for a lot of money and Clark Hunt doesn't give a damn if it's to someone who will keep it in Columbus or not. I'd like to think that HSG is giving it an honest effort and their priorities are to keep the team here, but I'd be lying to myself.
Well I guess Garber and HSG are still claiming to want to sell the team to a local investor. So this isn't a change from what we already knew. But its not encouraging.
I'll put in a couple grand if it means a season ticket rep will stop calling me at work to renew tickets ALL YEAR ROUND
I wonder if Franklin county is interested. They own the Clippers already and are heavily subsidizing the Blue Jackets. MLS still probably has cash calls on owner-operators but the Crew can't possibly lose as much as the Blue Jackets.
Wexner would be one idea. The Thomas family (Wendy's) would seem to be another candidate. Isn't Clapton's wife a Columbus girl? Maybe Eric would buy her her hometown's soccer club?
As some one who used to work for one of his companies, Les only talks about the OSU hand egg team. He knows and cares nothing about sports other than that unless it will sell more products. Unless the Crew could sell more lotion, bras or panties, there is no way he would buy in.
I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but I can't even think even in an alternate universe where local ownership might come from. If the Mini Macs want to sell the Jackets (and I'm betting they might), the same problem obtains. The big $$$ just ain't here--excepting Wexner, who is likely not viable for reasons given by others. I think the fact that this story is getting reported now means the time for the Crew to make it here is just shortened. We'll see what (and if) the Hunts say, as the Dogpatch was not able to get in touch with them last night.