Precourt prepared to reveal Crew’s finances but not to everybody

Crew owner Anthony Precourt is prepared to reveal the soccer club’s financial records to potential buyers but mere muggles like us won’t get to see how the team is doing.

According to an email chain between attorney for MLS Marc Kessler and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine per Columbus Business First, Precourt will only hand over the team’s financial information to potential “bona fide” buyers, if an only if they sign a non-disclosure agreement.

This is in response to a letter Mayor Ginther wrote to Precourt, demanding he hand over those dollar documents to Columbus Partnership CEO Alex Fischer who has voiced his interest in finding a way to purchase the Crew.

“Columbus Partnership CEO Alex Fischer has been in contact with prospective purchasers who have the necessary bona fides to operate an MLS franchise and are able to make a reasonable offer to purchase the team,” Ginther wrote in the letter. “We respectfully request that you make arrangements for Mr. Fischer and any and all prospective buyers to inspect the financial records of the PSV Entities and MLS as necessary.”

Last month, DeWine and City Attorney Zach Klein served Precourt with a lawsuit on the grounds of Ohio’s “Art Modell Law,” named after the former Browns coach.

“Columbus residents have supported the Crew not just with their spirit, but also with their wallets,” said City Attorney Zach Klein. “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.”

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