Precourt, MLS giving big ol’ middle finger to Crew lawsuit

Precourt Sports Ventures and Major league Soccer filed a motion Thursday to dismiss Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s lawsuit over the potential Columbus Crew move.

The lawsuit filed by DeWine and Klein in March is based on the grounds of the “Art Modell Law” which states a team benefiting from public funding cannot move without first providing a six-month notice and offering a chance for locals to purchase the team.

PSV and MLS have accepted state money and Mapfre Stadium is supported by tax dollars.

“Columbus residents have supported the Crew not just with their spirit, but also with their wallets,” said City Attorney Zach Klein of the lawsuit. “This statute is in place to prevent owners from taking taxpayer benefits, and then shopping their team to the next highest bidder. Given the financial support that has been provided by the City and the State, it’s only fair that we can exercise our options under the law before the Crew can relocate our city’s team.”

Seems like a solid case but Precourt and MLS believe the Art Modell Law is either unconstitutional or doesn’t apply, reports The Dispatch. 

Precourt and MLS claim the lawsuit filed by DeWine and Klein made no allegations that MLS, the “owner” of the Crew SC, accepted any financial support, therefore the Art Modell Law cannot apply.

What’s more, the duo went on to call the law “blatantly unconstitutional,” reports The Dispatch.

They then requested the entire lawsuit be dismissed.

The court’s decision on whether or not to dismiss the case is not expected for at least a few weeks.

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