A New Bill Wants to Help Keep Home Teams-Well-at Home

"Greg Casar's experience with the Columbus Crew highlighted the importance of local laws that protect communities from sudden relocations. The Ohio law allowed local groups to intervene and ultimately keep the team in Columbus, demonstrating how legislation can empower cities."

"The Austin Football Club's agreement with the city for a privately financed stadium on public land exemplifies a more favorable arrangement for residents compared to what might have been demanded by the Crew's owner. This outcome reflects a shift towards more equitable negotiations."

A new legislative proposal seeks to empower cities in their efforts to retain professional sports franchises amid threats from wealthy owners to relocate for better stadium subsidies. The bill is inspired by past experiences, such as the case of the Columbus Crew, where local laws allowed community members to intervene and prevent a team's relocation. This initiative aims to create a more equitable environment for cities, ensuring they have a fair chance to keep their teams at home while negotiating stadium deals.

Read at The New Yorker