MLS last week reached an agreement with an ownership group that includes Browns Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam and Crew team doctor Peter Edwards Jr., and the new owners "will keep the team in Columbus and plan to build a stadium near the Arena District," according to a front-page piece by Rouan & Ferenchik of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. The city of Columbus and state of Ohio have also "moved to dismiss a lawsuit against MLS and the team." At least one "critical piece to the deal remains unresolved, though: a land deal for the site where the Crew’s new owners plan to build the stadium." Under the proposed plan, the stadium "would sit on a site west of Huntington Park and the Arena District." Nationwide Realty Investors, the real estate arm of Nationwide Insurance, "owns most of the property that is needed for the project." The stadium is "expected to be open" for the '21 season (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 12/29). In N.Y., Andrew Das noted the deal ends an "ugly fight that had driven a wedge between the team’s fans and the organization -- at the same time it highlighted the power of fan activism in driving the direction of a pro sports team." The agreement is a "triumph for fans" who fought to keep the team from moving. The "yearlong drama surrounding the potential move had been a black eye for the league." Precourt Sports Ventures and its CEO, Anthony Precourt, "appear set to remain in the league" with an expansion team in Austin (N.Y. TIMES, 12/29).
HAPPY ENDING: In Columbus, Michael Arace noted the Crew, the "first chartered team in MLS and caretaker to the spiritual home of our national team, is in local hands for the first time in its 23-year history." What "seemed impossible a year ago is a reality." In Columbus, there is "not enough microbrew in cans, bottles or kegs to toast the new caretakers." Sources said that former Timbers coach Caleb Porter "will be the next coach" and that Toronto FC Senior VP/Soccer Operations & GM Tim Bezbatchenko "will be the next GM" (DISPATCH.com, 12/28). Arace noted Precourt "has to be happy that the Crew is selling for more than double what he paid for it." The league "has to be happy with this extortion, as well -- especially given that its current business plan is based on soliciting expansion fees and erecting stadiums." The Haslams and Edwards "have to be happy given the way pro sports teams accrue value." If "you have billions, an MLS franchise is a no-brainer investment" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 12/29).
