SAN ANTONIO – Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff did not mince words Thursday after the District Attorney’s Office released its findings on the city’s chance to land a team during the Major League Soccer expansion project.
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I want to thank the District Attorney’s office and Watts Guerra law firm for the comprehensive report. The investigation found that the MLS process was unfair, unethical, and duplicitous, but that Bexar County does not have a legal cause of action at this time because the Spurs withdrew their MLS application. I accept the report and its conclusions. We will wait until the next MLS expansion round and reassess our options at that time. In the meantime, I ask that soccer fans continue to support San Antonio FC.
Wolff sought clarification from MLS about San Antonio’s bid for an expansion franchise after the owner of the Columbus Crew announced in October his intention to relocate to Austin.
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The potential move would almost certainly end San Antonio’s chances of landing an MLS franchise during the next round of expansion.
In November, MLS announced that Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville and Sacramento are finalists for the first two out of four expansion clubs.
The announcement did not surprise Wolff, who said it appears Spurs Sports & Entertainment, the owners of San Antonio F.C., took itself out of consideration for this round.
In 2015, MLS announced plans to expand to 28 teams. Los Angeles Football Club begins play in 2018, becoming the league's 23rd team. Discussions continue for a MLS expansion team in Miami.
Spurs Sports & Entertainment is one of 12 franchises that have officially applies for an expansion team.