Haslams save the Columbus Crew

Browns owners, along with partner Pete Edwards, announce agreement in principle to buy Columbus’ MLS franchise

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslams, along with business partner Pete Edwards, have taken ownership of the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.

The announcement was made jointly by the Haslams and MLS commissioner Dan Garber on Dec. 28 in a news release.

“When we began exploring the possibility of keeping Crew SC (Soccer Club) in Columbus, the process started with an appreciation for the benefits a professional sports franchise brings to a region,” the statement from the Jimmy and Dee Haslam reads. “We quickly began positive discussions with Major League Soccer — the League Office and many of the League’s owners.

“Throughout our conversations, it’s been overwhelmingly clear that Crew SC belongs in Columbus, and we are thrilled to have reached an agreement in principle to assume an ownership position in Major League Soccer and to operate Columbus Crew SC.”

“As the stewards of Crew SC, we will always be focused on building a championship caliber team that makes the city proud, creating dynamic and memorable fan experiences and deeply engaging the community to make a positive impact.”

The Haslams purchased controlling interest in the Crew from Anthony Precourt. For more than a year, stories circulated about Precourt possibly moving the Crew to Austin Texas. Those rumors faded when, on Oct. 12, the Haslams took steps to buy the Crew and keep the team in Columbus. A downtown soccer stadium has been discussed.

“After several months of discussions, we are extremely pleased to have reached an agreement in principle with the Haslam and Edwards families for them to assume an ownership position in Major League Soccer and operate Columbus Crew SC starting in January, 2019,” Garber said in a statement. “We appreciate all the diligent work from the Haslam and Edwards Families, the leadership from the Columbus Partnership, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and the State of Ohio, Precourt Sports Ventures, and all of those who have contributed over the past several months to create the elements that will solidify Crew SC’s long-term future as an integral part of the Columbus sports scene.”

The Columbus Crew was a charter member of Major League Soccer, which debuted as a 10-team league in 1996. The Crew play home games at MAPFRE Stadium. The 19,968-seat venue was the first soccerspecific stadium built for an MLS team.

The Crew won the MLS Cup in 2008.

TED S. WARREN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Columbus Crew players pose for the traditional team portrait before a match against the Seattle Sounders on May 5 in Seattle.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam have bought the Columbus Crew, guaranteeing the team will not relocate. The Haslams have been working for months with a group to keep the Major League Soccer franchise in Ohio.