COLUMBUS – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine says he will sue the owner of the Columbus Crew SC if he breaks the law by moving the team to Texas.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, DeWine says he’ll take “the necessary legal action” under a state law, passed after Art Modell moved the Browns from Cleveland to Baltimore in 1995, that says an owner of a team that uses tax-supported facilities or gets public financial assistance must give advance notice before moving and give city or local individuals a chance to buy the team.
“The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has reviewed the law passed after the Browns’ move. We believe the evidence will show that this law would apply to the Columbus Crew and Mapfre Stadium. As Attorney General, should ownership of the Columbus Crew initiate a move of the team without complying with Ohio law, I am prepared to take the necessary legal action under this law to protect the interests of the State of Ohio and the central Ohio communities which have all invested to make the Columbus Crew a proud part of our Ohio sports tradition.” –Mike DeWine statement
Crew SC owner Anthony Precourt has said he plans to move the franchise to Austin, Texas, following the 2018 season unless the city and local leaders provide a new stadium closer to downtown than the team’s current home at Mapfre Stadium.
A U.S. Senator at the time, DeWine introduced similar legislation in Congress, along with Sen. John Glenn and Congressman Louis Stokes.