Ohio government officials announced they have filed a lawsuit against Columbus Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt and Major League Soccer to keep the team from moving to Austin.
In October, Precourt announced he was considering moving to Austin and has been communicating with the Austin City Council to find sites for a stadium and training facility.
RELATED:
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Columbus city leaders said Columbus Crew SC's move would violate a city code from 1996. Following the relocation of the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, the General Assembly enacted Ohio Revised Code 9.67.
"The narrowly written, common-sense statute applies to owners whose teams use tax-supported facilities and accept financial assistance from the state and its localities," a statement from the city said. "It prohibits these owners from moving their teams elsewhere unless they give at least six months advance notice of the intention to move and give the city, an individual, or group of individuals, who live in the area an opportunity to purchase the teams."
According to a statement, the lawsuit alleges that the Crew SC and its affiliates have:
- Accepted the benefits of approximately $5 million in state taxpayer-funded improvements to their parking facilities.
- Accepted state property tax exemption for the land on which the Crew SC’s home field, Mapfre Stadium, sits.
- Leased that land from the state at a below-market rate.
- Accepted more than $300,000 in city taxpayer-funded reimbursements of their costs in moving portions of a storm sewer and constructing a water line.
- Entered into a Tax Increment Financing and Economic Development Agreement with the city of Columbus to extend Silver Drive to increase access to Mapfre Stadium currently costing the city $1.3 million in tax revenue with the potential total cost of more than $2.1 million.
“Major League Soccer and Precourt Sports Ventures are aware of and are reviewing the litigation filed by the Ohio Attorney General. MLS and PSV will make an additional statement [Tuesday] following a review of the complaint,” a spokesperson for Precourt Sports Ventures said.
