When the Columbus Crew nearly moved to Texas in 2017, fans like Emily Kegg rallied to save the team.
Now, as the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) prepares to launch its 18th franchise in Columbus by 2028, those same supporters face a new dilemma: cheering for a team backed by billionaires while grappling with controversial public funding and the loss of a community park.
The NWSL's rapid expansion has turned women's soccer into big business.
The Columbus ownership group—led by billionaires Jimmy and Dee Haslam, former Crew doctor Pete Edwards, and insurance giant Nationwide—paid a record $205 million expansion fee.
That sum dwarfs the $2 million fees paid by franchises just four years ago, highlighting the league's soaring valuation.
But the deal's financial structure has stirred unease.
In March, the Haslam group requested $50 million in combined city and county funds for a training facility and stadium upgrades.
The city proposed a 2% ticket tax on all events at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field to repay its $25 million share, with the surcharge funding health and human services.
The county approved its $25 million share the day before the NWSL officially awarded the bid.
Public Park Sparks Outrage
The most contentious issue emerged over McCoy Park, a 28-acre public green space on Columbus's underserved Southwest Side.
The city had planned to transform it into adaptive sports fields for residents with disabilities, with over $900,000 already spent on community consultations.
Instead, the site was chosen for the NWSL team's training facility.
Council members and residents learned of the change only at an April 6 hearing.
"That's probably the hardest part to stomach," said Kegg, community director of the Nordecke supporters' group. "Taking away something like that from that community doesn't feel good."
Mayor Andrew Ginther pledged a replacement park but did not specify a location.
The city council passed the financing plan on April 20, adding a last-minute amendment requiring the replacement park to be completed by the end of 2027.
The ownership group contributed $3 million and promised limited community access to the future training facility.
Council member Nancy Day-Achauer voted against the deal, saying, "I'm angry that we're even considering giving a public park to billionaires."
Fans Torn Between Excitement and Frustration
Despite the backlash, many fans plan to buy season tickets.
"I'm angry at the ownership group, but I want to go to the games," said women's soccer fan Alissa Friedman.
"It leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth."
Others see the public funding as a long-term investment.
An analysis commissioned by the investor group projected the team would generate $118 million for Ohio over 30 years through jobs, visitors, and taxes.
Crew season-ticket holder Stacey Kyser called it a necessary investment, while supporter Morgan Hughes criticized the use of public money to "lure billionaires who are already here."
The Nordecke released a statement urging the ownership group to embrace the NWSL's strong LGBTQ+ culture, noting the Haslams' donations to anti-LGBTQ+ politicians.
The group also plans to hold the city accountable for the replacement park. "If it doesn't materialize, that's something we should definitely make noise about," Kegg said.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman defended the public-private partnership, stating, "I can't think of anything more important or better evidence that the community wants the NWSL in Columbus."
