MLS contact with Austin dates to fall of 2016
Efforts by Major League Soccer and Precourt Sports Ventures to explore relocation to Austin, Texas, after the 2018 season began as early as the summer of 2017, documents have shown.
However, conversations about the possibility of a Major League Soccer team in Austin outside the parameters of expansion happened before that.
Emails obtained by The Dispatch show league contact with Austin in September 2016.
On Sept. 29, 2016, Charles Altchek, special assistant to the MLS commissioner, emailed Mayor Steve Adler’s office looking to set up a phone call with Adler to introduce him to Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Mark Abbott and discuss “the league and some research that we will be doing in Austin.”
Two months later, A rendering of the proposed Major League Soccer stadium at McKalla Place in Austin, Texas
Dan Barrett of Barrett Sports Group, which has since been acquired by CAA Icon, began contacting Austin city leaders and officials about the distribution of a Major League Soccer feasibility survey.
The survey distribution came a month after Barrett Sports Group, also working for PSV, issued a stadium survey in Columbus. CAA Icon has done consulting work in PSV’s relocation exploration.
Barrett asked Adler’s
staff to set up a late January 2017 meeting with Abbott and Altchek.
“The Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner’s special advisor are coming in this week,” Barrett wrote in an email to Adler staff members on Jan. 22, 2017. “They are meeting with other political leaders in town. Is there a better time? This is a really important meeting. We can keep it short if needed.”
In February 2017,
after the 12 expansion applicants for MLS teams 24 through 28 were announced, Barrett emailed Adler and others thanking them for the January meeting. He also noted the content of San Antonio’s bid material.
“I thought it was interesting, though not surprising, that San Antonio referenced Austin in their video,” Barrett wrote. “As Mark (Abbott) mentioned during the meeting, the fact that Austin did not submit a proposal does not mean that it will not have an opportunity for a franchise in the future. We look forward to continuing our research and our discussions with you.”
Details of the meetings are not immediately clear. The emails do not mention Precourt Sports Ventures, the Crew, Columbus or relocation. Major League Soccer authorized Richard Suttle as a lobbyist in Austin in August 2017, and Major League Soccer registered trademarks of “Austin FC” and “Austin Athletic” were uncovered that same month.
PSV announced in October 2017 that it would consider relocating the Crew to Austin after the 2018 season, citing concerns about attendance, corporate sponsorships and an aging Mapfre Stadium.
MLS commissioner Don Garber and Adler exchanged emails on March 10, 2017.
“Mark (Abbott) and Charles (Altchek) told me that you all had a nice meeting not long ago,” Garber wrote. “We are looking forward to learning more about the great city of Austin!”
Four days later, Garber emailed Adler to thank him for the opportunity to speak during a meeting involving a delegation from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Austin.
“It really speaks to how far MLS has come over the years that so many people in the room had a connection to our League,” Garber wrote. “I look forward to keeping in touch regarding the potential for MLS in Austin.”
Adler replied to Garber the following morning: “It was good to see you, too. Let us know what we should be doing.”
Garber replied, “You got it.”