Ohio judge to meet with suit’s parties

The first orders were handed down Tuesday in the Ohio lawsuit aimed at keeping Major League Soccer in Columbus.

Over the next three weeks, Ohio judge Jeffrey Brown will meet separately with representatives of Precourt Sports Ventures and MLS, and Ohio and Columbus, to explore the potential for a settlement, according to a court document filed Tuesday. In March, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the city of Columbus filed the suit against Columbus Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt and Major League Soccer aimed to keep the team from moving to Austin.

In the 19-page journal entry filed Tuesday afternoon, Brown encouraged interested potential buyers of Columbus Crew SC to contact the court.

The judge also ordered that a 90-day toll be granted, pausing the six-month notice period required by Ohio Revised Code 9.67 before a publicly-funded sports team can move. He ordered that discovery in the case be stayed during those 90 days. In October 2017, PSV announced its intention to explore moving the Crew to Austin.

“There has been nothing that has been relayed to me that puts the pause button on bringing MLS to Austin,” said Austin MLS lobbyist Richard Suttle, who represents PSV.

In a statement, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine called the orders a “reasonable and welcome decision” by the Franklin County judge.

“This ruling is a win for Crew fans and for soccer fans around the country who agree that Major League Soccer’s original franchise should remain in Columbus,” the statement said.

PSV continues to explore a move to Austin, provided it can find a suitable location for a 20,000-seat stadium. Investor-operator Anthony Precourt is seeking an agreement with the city by the end of June for the use of city-owned McKalla Place near the Domain.

While the city undergoes an expansive review of the site, PSV and MLS have been ordered within the next 14 days to provide “information and materials necessary for potential bona fide purchasers to make a valuation and offer to purchase” the team and keep it in Ohio, according to the document.

Judge Brown ordered that within seven days, all parties must agree to terms on a non-disclosure agreement to be signed by potential purchasers and investors viewing the information provided. If they cannot agree, then both sides must submit a proposed NDA within seven days after the deadline.

Any offers submitted to the court by potential buyers will be held under seal, Brown wrote.