Columbus future front and centre in commissioner’s state of the league address
TORONTO — Major League Soccer prefaced the annual commissioner’s annual state of the league address with news of increased player salary investment.
And while Don Garber talked up successful expansion, an improved player base and the league’s growing television and attendance numbers, he found himself being drawn back to the trouble spot of Columbus time and time again on the eve of the MLS Cup final between Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders.
Anthony Precourt, whose Precourt Sports Ventures has owned the Columbus team since 2013, has said the franchise expects to move to Austin, Texas, following the 2018 season unless a new, privately financed stadium is built in downtown Columbus.
“Like every professional sport league, we never want to relocate a team,” Garber said. “And while no decision has been made to relocate the Crew, MLS is supportive of the Precourt Sports Ventures efforts to explore their options in Austin.”