MLS Crew President & GM Mark McCullers on Thursday said that the team is "primarily focused on its own financial goals and not a number of real-estate development plans in Central Ohio," according to Adam Jardy of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. It was reported last week that local officials "are considering a redevelopment plan on the Scioto Peninsula that would build a new arts venue and other developments." However, McCullers said that the team’s "goals of reaching 10,000 season tickets and selling naming rights to Crew Stadium are the only priorities for the Crew’s front office right now." He said, "It’s very premature for us to talk about anything beyond Goal 10K and naming rights because without the first two, the other is just speculation." Crew Stadium, the first soccer-specific stadium in the U.S., will "undergo some minor upgrades this offseason as 1,400 seats near midfield on the east side will be upgraded to chair-back seating as part of the team’s Center Circle Club." Large-scale renovations to the stadium "are not in the team’s immediate plans." McCullers said that the team is "always listening to ideas and has been approached about relocating downtown but that it is not an active participant in any talks" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 6/21).
