Columbia Gas will raise its support of the Crew by 33% in years 2 and 3 of the dealGETTY IMAGES
The Crew and Columbia Gas of Ohio have "agreed to a multi-year sponsorship deal" beginning with the '18 season, but the majority of the agreement is "contingent on the club remaining in Columbus," according to Andrew Erickson of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed, but Columbia Gas will "raise its support by 33 percent" in years two and three of the deal in the club does not relocate to Austin. The sponsorship last year led to several promos, including a "digging safety campaign" with MF Wil Trapp. Columbia Gas Dir Of Communications Shana Eiselstein said that the deal "comes in part because of feedback the company has received from Crew supporters and Columbia Gas employees." Eiselstein: "I don’t have any insights into any decisions that the club will be making going forward but we did want to let them know that if a decision is reached where they remain in Columbus, we wanted to let them know that we will certainly not only remain a strong supporter but that we will increase our support of the club" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/7).
THIS LAND IS MY LAND: In Austin, Chris Bils notes the city's Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park has "become the center of attention in the search for a site" for a possible MLS stadium for the Crew. Precourt Sports Ventures, which owns the Crew, would "seek the use of approximately 15 acres along the western edge" of the park, which "offers views of the city skyline" (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 2/7).
