In August, the Austin city council approved a deal for construction of a 20,000-seat, privately funded stadiumPRECOURT SPORTS VENTURES
The arrival of MLS in Austin "appears more likely than ever" despite the Crew potentially remaining in Ohio, as there is "certainty" that a club is coming no later than '21, according to a source cited by Chris Bils of the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. The source said, "The only thing (being discussed) is what's the optimum time to launch the club in Austin. I don't think it impacts what's been agreed to in Austin or the league's excitement or enthusiasm, or the stadium, or anything like that." Another source said a '19 launch for the Austin club has "not been ruled out yet." The source said that it has "not yet been determined" if the players and technical staff of the Crew will "remain in Columbus, the most likely scenario if an agreement is completed" with the group led by Browns Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam to buy the Crew from Precourt Sports Ventures. In August, the Austin city council approved a deal for "construction of a 20,000-seat, privately funded stadium" for the Austin MLS club. City officials "remain in negotiations to finalize the deal" with PSV, with talks "on track to be completed" in December (AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 10/16).
