Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are working with an investor group to keep the Columbus’ Major League Soccer team, the Crew, in Columbus.
“Major League Soccer and the Columbus Partnership have been working together for several months on a plan to keep the Crew in Columbus and we have made significant progress,” MLS representatives stated in a news release. “Recently, the Haslam Family – along with the Columbus-based Edwards Family, have joined the effort to keep the Crew in Columbus.
The Columbus Partnership and an investor group led by Pete Edwards, Jr. and the Haslams have formed an alliance to continue the collaboration with MLS to keep the team in Columbus, the release states.
“We are optimistic about our recent conversations with MLS regarding the potential sale of the operating rights of the Columbus Crew,” reads a joint statement from the Columbus Partnership, Edwards, Jr. and the Haslams. “While there are many details to be worked out, our alliance is working diligently and collaboratively with the League to keep the Crew in its community. We are very excited about the quiet but deliberate progress that has been made to date and will keep the community updated as this process moves forward.”
The Haslams provided this statement on their interest in the Columbus Crew:
“We value and appreciate the benefits a professional sports franchise can bring to a community and are hopeful to be part of the solution to keep the Crew in Columbus. We would invest in a strong infrastructure within the Crew organization so that we can continue our focus and commitment to building a winning Cleveland Browns football team in Northeast Ohio. We look forward to seeing how this process evolves.”
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther tweeted: "This is great news for the City of Columbus. As I have said repeatedly over the past year, the Crew SC belongs in Columbus. There are many details to work out, but I am grateful for the Columbus Partnership, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Pete Edwards, Jr. and all of the loyal fans."
The Columbus Crew began playing in 1996 as one of the 10 charter clubs in the league as a member of the Eastern Conference. The Crew has won five major trophies: MLS Cup 2008, the Supporters’ Shield in 2004, 2008, and 2009, and the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
