re: Columbus Crew possibly moving to Austin, TX if a stadium deal can't be reached

Austin has failed with TWO USL clubs, not one.

Some of you mentioned, too, that Texas can sustain three clubs, or even four.

quote:

---

Precourt says his interest in Austin is sincere. “I’ve had a longstanding affinity for this city," he told the Austin Statesman. “My interest in Austin is very sincere. It’s young, vibrant, multi-cultural, loaded with millennials and has a rapidly growing corporate element.”

That might be true, but there was no sign of overwhelming support for soccer out of Austin, where two USL teams have failed. That only added to the uncertainty of the situation.

All the possible move to Austin did was threaten San Antonio's bid for one of MLS's four expansion franchises. “MLS officials told us that there will not be a franchise in both Austin and San Antonio,” Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who has spearheaded the San Antonio MLS effort, said in a statement to the San Antonio Express.

“We want clarification from MLS regarding the status of our expansion application in light of news today from Columbus.”

---

Paul Kennedy's Soccer America article

Now imagine an owner trying to move a franchise on the brink of relegation...

I am firmly in the camp that believes pro/rel should happen, but that it needs to be done slowly and wisely maybe at the lower league level first? And it must be announced well after expansion, and a goal years down the road.

What happens when/if pro/rel. comes, and a guy decides he wants to move? Shahid Khan is CONSTANTLY slated by Fulham supporters for not investing in the team (which is utter and complete bullshite) and that he WANTS FFC relegated so he can steal the property and build condos.

Now, just think if this happened now. Precourt could just trade players, or buy totally shite players, which would even further torpedo attendance, then claim non-support of relegated team. "Well, no one comes out to support us, we have to move...." What would stop him from having "a longstanding affinity for" Ottumwa, Iowa? "My interest in Ottumwa began watching M*A*S*H is very sincere..."

quote:

---

It's still competition. If they truly hated the way American leagues are ran, they could turn their attention to the domestic leagues, give them more cash, and actually start competing with the NBA.

---

People still support them in Europe bc they are part of their soccer clubs

But NBA is always the king

quote:

---

What happens when/if pro/rel. comes, and a guy decides he wants to move? Shahid Khan is CONSTANTLY slated by Fulham supporters for not investing in the team (which is utter and complete bullshite) and that he WANTS FFC relegated so he can steal the property and build condos.

Now, just think if this happened now. Precourt could just trade players, or buy totally shite players, which would even further torpedo attendance, then claim non-support of relegated team. "Well, no one comes out to support us, we have to move...." What would stop him from having "a longstanding affinity for" Ottumwa, Iowa? "My interest in Ottumwa began watching M*A*S*H is very sincere..

---

If you move a club you lose your place in the football pyramid and have to start all over again from the bottom with the club you moved but changed the name. That would stop that problem ASAP.

quote:

---

Austin has failed with TWO USL clubs, not one.

---

I lived in Austin for a few years, there are loads of soccer fans there. 4 different bars show European games and all get good turnout.

And the Aztex "failed" because of a flood that torpedoed their home stadium. Now they werent packing in huge attendance before, but a minor league team is just not going to be that successful in Austin proper, there's too much else to do. There's a reason the Express are in Round Rock and the Toros are in Cedar Park.

If you build a true SSS in ATX proper with a top level team, people will support it. A third division team playing in a high school football stadium with the yardage lines still on it? Hard pass.

quote:

---

It turns people off on the league which effects tv deals

---

Again that THIS of all things would be the thing that turns people off to MLS is fricking hilarious

quote:

---

Again that THIS of all things would be the thing that turns people off to MLS is fricking hilarious

---

Your head is in the sand if you dont think it could be a factor with people overseas who think soccer is their religion.

In my experience, non-Americans who don't like MLS are more perplexed by the draft system, the single-entity financial structure, the two conferences, and playoffs. The franchise thing is weird to them, but they don't seem to care that much, from the ones I've talked to.

Most of them are just happy we're finally supporting soccer in America, even if they don't understand our strange American ways. Even in Greece people knew who the LA Galaxy are.

And yes, MLS needs to worry more about appealing to Americans, which will always be the overwhelming majority of its business, than its appeal to non-Americans. Continue improving the on-field product, and business will continue to boom and attendance will improve. America by itself has the potential to make MLS one of the richest leagues in the world, the league just has to keep improving the product.

Its all part of the overall picture

We need to get on the regular football calendar and just have a winter break.

quote:

---

What "international eyes" would be pissed and why? I'm local and don't watch the MLS. This move would likely not change that.

---

Here's the Guardian, proving me right

quote:

---

Where can an owner move their football club 1,000 miles on a whim? America

---