What's the word SugarShaun? How does that even work with the MLS model? Wouldn't Garber have to approve it? I'm sure it's just a leverage play because that would probably kill San Antonio's bid as an expansion side. FC Cincy must love this though. Also on expansion, Sacramentos USL side has inked an MLS jersey sponser. So it's looks like they're a shoe in for expansion.
Was in bed when this came out so waking up to this news. I am gutted. They sent out a survey last year or over the offseason about a possible new stadium to gauge interest and I’m not sure it’s there. I also don’t even know where they’d build downtown. The team is gone in my eyes. I feel betrayed. I’ve reached out to see if I can cancel my renewal. I don’t know if I will or not but in my emotional state I wanted to know if it was an option
Sorry SugarShaun that really sucks. Seems like the owner bought the team with the sole intention of eventually moving them. Fuck that guy
Imagine being so rich that you couldn't spend all your money if you tried and STILL willing to destroy your legacy for a buck. And hurting thousands of people who support you in the process I didn't get it with the NFL moves and this is even worse. I'm so sorry Shaun
I have lived in Columbus and get it the stadium is outdated, the location isn't ideal (but better than lots of MLS Stadiums) and the market is bottom third of the league, but hate owners who buy teams with the underlying agenda to move them. If come 2025 the Crew is still playing in Mapfe Stadium and their is little hope to improve the situation then I understand it at that point. Decision feels premeditated and rushed and wrong.
Columbus Dispatch is reporting his purchase had a specific clause about not moving for ten years...unless to Austin
What a fuck. He was always going to do this and I hope Austin stands up and gives him $0 for this bullshit. Stadium welfare needs to end.
Yes. Why I said it was premeditated. I get it if was 8-10 years from now and the team was still playing in Mapfe Stadium and attendance was at or near the bottom of the league, but this decision is basically like it was bought with the sole purpose of moving the team to Austin, which sucks.
This has Clay Bennett purchasing the SuperSonics all over it. Sounds like local Columbus rich people try to buy the club from him but he won't sell. I think Austin can be a pretty good MLS market, but hate seeing it at the expense of an original.
Austin fans seem like they'd be really hardo and terrible, in addition to all the other reasons this sucks. Sorry SugarShaun .
Seems like there is no way they stay Although some legal things remain including lease agreements through 2022
MLS commissioner is such a douche no way he should allow the leagues first franchise to move Columbus set the damn model for the league #triggered
Austin might buck the TX trend as a more liberal hip city without professional sports coupled with a sizable hispanic population. Nice stadium located well will help, but agree that MLS doesn't need 3 teams in Texas. USL attendance doesn't always beget MLS attendance see Atlanta United. Not a lot of slam dunk MLS markets left at this point.
Move to Ohio, being an Ohio sports fan cannot be that bad Adopts Crew and Bluejackets Kicked in the Dick multiple times now Woof
Huntington Park would have been the ideal location. Sure Mapfre isn’t THAT far from downtown, but it’s just a major inconvenience. Literally nothing to do right outside the stadium or within walking distance. And who are the fan favorites for the Crew? Will Trapp? Higuain? Think those things combined result in lower attendance.
Eh the team is winning, they just broke the club transfer record for Pedro. Meram is a fan favorite, Kamara is one of the leagues top scorers
they should do a franchise swap where this owner moves the Revs to Austin and the Kraft's sell Columbus to local buyers. Seems ridiculous to have them move. Welcome to big league professional sports MLS
I remember seeing games at Ohio Stadium. I remember the excitement of Crew Stadium opening. I remember winning the MLS Cup. I remember USA beating Mexico three times in Columbus. I honestly loved that fact that the Crew and Blue Jackets made Columbus a pro city. A city of the equal of other pro towns and not just some overgrown university town. I have talked to a bunch of my friends and season ticket holders and we're in shock.
other than the Krafts being such terrible humans that this wont happen, really would be in best interest of the league. Hard to abandon a large market like Boston too.
Big emotional switches all day. Just really sad or really angry. This sucks Too young to remember when the Browns left but it was also a different city and I wasn’t a season ticket holder for them. I’ve been to Crew games at Ohio Stadium, Crew/Mapfre, I went to the all star game when it was here, I’ve been to USA matches against Jamaica and Guatemala, I’ve been to USA/Mexico. I just can’t believe this is happening
I was 10 when the Browns moved and I'm feeling the same feelings that day. I think in both instances, Modell and Precourt just gave up on the team just as an excuse to move. If the Crew move, I have no reason to see soccer successful in this country weather it be the MLS or the national teams.
I know it's early but any talks among STHs about a response? You could host a damn playoff game in a week
Some will go to protest, others will not go at all. Many are still in shock they have no clue what to do. I plan on hitching a ride to protest.
I saw a thread on the Reddit page of just spitballing but didn’t get a chance to dive into it. Tifosweat is the group that does all the tifos and I’d imagine theyll have some idea if they don’t already
I'm watching Drennen on SportsTime Ohio and they talked about the Crew to Austin. Drennen sounded dumbfounded that they'd even want to consider moving.
MLS owners should be fucking irate This dude bought the Crew for like $60million, put an opt out clause for Austin and then executed on it HE AVOIDED THE $150 MIL FRANCHISE FEE WTF why are they allowing this
Not to defend the guy but he bought the team over 4 years ago. Less than 6 months later Orlando was awarded a franchise for 70 million. Still I hate how fans get screwed over when teams move.
The crew have basically done everything wrong marketing, pr, etc in the last couple years And ppl still show up Its such a terribly ran organization in every aspect other than the on the field product
An example would be that games were always on CW Columbus, ABC 6 and FOX 28 and eventually got a deal with Fox Sports Ohio meaning the state could see them. Now, they are on a obscure network only half the state can get. They are basically the Bill Wirtz era Blackhawks.
They went back to being on ABC/Fox/CW last season. That previous deal with Time Warner Sports was absurd
NYCFC SGs have already said if we can get them a tifo that we want up on Sunday they will make sure it is up
Saw this posted in the Crew Reddit. I’m emotional but I’m in. Precourt is going to have a team in Austin in 2019. That’s happening. But I’ll be damned if I let the Crew die without at least making him look like an ass for wanting to leave this community
If anyone has any interest, Erica in the commissioners office is organizing all the letters to provide to Don Garber [email protected]