MLS Commissioner Don Garber praised Crew Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam and Dr. Pete Edwards for "stewarding the Crew to MLS Cup in their second year as owners, and noted a buzz around the club in the community while hoping for more fan interest," according to Jacob Myers of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Garber, during his state of the league address on Tuesday, said, “In such a short period of time, the Haslams have made an incredible impact in Columbus through their ownership of the Crew. Very importantly, their ownership and their partnership with the Edwards family, there is incredible energy in the market. Sponsors have shown interest in partnering with the club, and we're hopeful that season-ticket sales will continue to grow.” Myers noted insufficient interest from corporate partners, and the greater Columbus community, was the "main reason cited by previous owner Anthony Precourt as he unsuccessfully tried to move the team to Austin." But the Crew now are "set to open a Downtown stadium in July, as well as a new training facility connected to Mapfre Stadium in June." The club also signed Nationwide as its jersey sponsor for more than six years at nearly double the $1.8M Acura paid previous ownership. Garber: "We're hoping that all of the energy that an MLS Cup host position would bring, along with the (new) stadium, which is remarkable, will light up this market that we always believed in" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 12/19).
