SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio and Bexar County's goal for landing a Major League Soccer team may get blocked by the city of Austin.
On Tuesday, Columbus Crew owner Anthony Precourt announced that either Columbus would have to construct a new stadium or the team would relocate to Austin.
That move could mean Major League Soccer may not expand to the Alamo City.
MLS team may move to Austin, could ruin SA's chances of landing team
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff is all too familiar with losing a potential sports franchise.
San Antonio has already seen two teams court the Alamo City in the past 15 years, and now with Tuesday's announcement by Precourt that could mean more bad news for the city.
"I know that we had our short comings with respect to Major League Baseball and NFL. That's a much tougher game," Wolff said. "We're a perfect place for MLS soccer. We've had the application, I think, since last March. I don't know what they're doing. They got shot down in San Diego. They got shot down in St. Louis. I don't know what they're up to."
In February, Spurs Sports & Entertainment submitted an application to bring an MLS team to San Antonio.
Wolff said they want clarification from MLS, regarding the status of San Antonio's expansion application in light of Precourt’s announcement.
"I think we'll be reviewing our position, talked with the mayor a couple of times this morning and just seeing what we should be doing," said Wolff. "And, talking with the Spurs, who actually put up the money for the application."
Wolff said the MLS has made it clear that there will not be a franchise in Austin and San Antonio.
It's going to be one or the other.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg released a statement saying in part, "When the MLS figures out what it wants to do, we're ready to talk. Meanwhile, we're looking forward to the playoff game on Saturday."
The San Antonio FC will play the Tulsa Roughnecks in Saturday's Western Conference quarterfinals of the United Soccer League Cup.
