Open Letter From McCullers to Crew Fans

From the Black & Gold Standard:

Crew Fans,

The recent report that Hunt Sports Group has been approached by a group of investors to purchase a share of the Crew has led to a number of questions and speculation about the implications of this potential transaction. Hunt Sports Group President John Wagner issued the following statement regarding the situation:

“Hunt Sports Group has been approached by a group led by Jonathon Bloch and Mark Noorzai regarding a potential minority investment in the Columbus Crew Soccer Club. Although no agreement has been reached at this time, discussions are ongoing. Hunt Sports Group plans to continue as the Managing Investor-Operator of the club.”

While I can’t discuss details of the situation, the comparison to the recent investment by Oscar de la Hoya and others in the Houston Dynamo is a reasonable comparison. Consider the group led by Bloch and Noorzai to be an addition to the existing group of minority investors that has been with the Crew since Day One. The process and discussions for this transaction are ongoing, are not on any specific timetable and may or may not be consummated.

I think there are three significant messages to deliver:

1. The Crew is not moving to Las Vegas, regardless of whether this transaction takes place or not. We have an established stadium, a recent significant investment in our concert business here, a successful and growing youth development program, plans and interest in developing a world class training complex and many other long term strategic plans to facilitate the continued growth and prosperity of the club in Columbus.

2. This transaction, should it take place, will not affect the current organization or our operation. We will continue to operate in our current form working diligently to build a club that will make our fans proud and create new fans.

3. The fact that there is interest in investing significant resources in the Columbus Crew is a positive sign that business leaders see the value in what’s happening in Columbus, in the direction of the club and the potential return on their investment.

I’ve always believed that actions speak louder than words, so our actions will continue to demonstrate that we intend to build the Crew into a valued and influential community asset – in Columbus. This year, we have seen that the actions of our fans have demonstrated that Columbus can get behind a winning team and deliver a tremendous, authentic soccer atmosphere in our stadium. Let’s allow our actions to continue to speak for themselves and build upon the substantial momentum that we have developed this year. Our team and staff are focused on a strong push into the postseason. We need you with us.

I am glad to speak with anyone directly regarding this or any other matter.

Regards,

Mark McCullers
President & General Manager
mmccullers@thecrew.com
614.447.4100

My thoughts: This letter would have been great two days ago to get rid of most of our concerns. This letter makes me more hopeful. However, I'm still very concerned as any fan of any team would be. First off, De La Hoya in Houston isn't a reasonable comparison, because Noozai and Bloch are not local owners like De La Hoya in Houston. Secondly, I would still like to hear from actual investors. I would like to hear the reasoning behind Bloch and Noorzai purchasing a minority stake in the Crew. If it's to show Garber that they are willing to invest in MLS in hopes of Noorzai and Bloch receiving the next MLS place for Las Vegas, then fine. Who knows Bloch and Noorzai may have really good intentions. But, I want guarentees from the investors with the actual money. The concern is that Bloch and Noorzai have no connection with the Crew or Columbus and no reason for wanting them to stay in Columbus. The concern is their main goal is to get a team in Las Vegas one way or the other.

And, I would suggest that our current owners and any upcoming owners to not read too much into a magazine like Forbes and what they say about our economics, those valuations were coming off of three losing seasons. Along with being before our shirt sponsor, the concert revenue, and an improved atmosphere. There is growth potential in Columbus. I can guarentee that our groups will do our best as we have this season, to attract new fans and new people to become diehard season ticket holders at the stadium. There are thousands upon thousands of fans that care about this team. I would say more fans that care about this team then there are in many MLS cities; especially New York, New England, San Jose, Salt Lake, Denver, Chivas USA in LA, or Dallas caring about their perspective MLS teams. You will find almost nowhere fans as dedicated as our groups to this team.

Futher, Myself or any Crew fans shouldn't lambast our current owners or perspective owners. If anything this occurs because they are too quiet. Clark Hunt could be a great guy. Along with Noorzai or Bloch. I would give them the benefit of the doubt definitely, if all of our ownership wasn't so quite about the Crew. As a fan I like players who interact with the fans, I like a FO that interacts with the fans, I like a coach that interacts with the fans. We have that now in Columbus and it's really special. I want an ownership group that is as well connected to the team and the fans. That lives and dies by how the Crew are doing, like a Roman Ambrahamovich, and are entrenched in Columbus. If we had that this franchise, I promise, could be a huge success.

My plea to any owners of the Crew is to just get stuck in with us and we won't let you down. If the owners loved the team like the Nordecke did it would be an incredible success. And, maybe they do? Hell, they have been putting millions of dollars into it. I could bet Lamar Hunt loved the Crew. Right now, however, for them it almost feels, in my opinion, like they treat the Crew as a burden instead of an opportunity. I just want to hear it from them that they care about the Columbus Crew, that would make me the happiest person right now. To hear it from McCullers, just doesn't have the same effect as when it comes from the investors.

I hope this all is true because the death of the Columbus Crew would be, at least in my opinion, one of the biggest tradegies in American sports. I'm bias. But, it would be the ripping out of the heart of everyone that stands in that North corner and for everyone who has supported this team for so long no matter what.

We have success now. Let us show you what we can do with it. We will get it back to the 19,000 in attendance glory days soon enough.