COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 30 (UPI) -- Hunt Sports Group announced Tuesday it has sold the Columbus Crew Major League Soccer franchise to a company headed by California investor Anthony Precourt.
Hunt Sports Group Chairman Clark Hunt said his family was selling the Crew to Precourt Sports Ventures after owning the franchise since the franchise was founded as a charter MLS member in 1996 by his father, the late Lamar Hunt.
"Today is a very exciting day for the Crew, the Crew supporters, the city of Columbus and Major League Soccer," Hunt said. "Anthony is a bright, passionate, driven leader, and we believe he will be a great fit for Columbus."
Although pleased with the sale, Hunt said the move "is somewhat bittersweet for our family because of how much we love the Crew."
Precourt, an investment banker based in San Francisco, promised he would supply a winner for Columbus soccer fans.
"We have long believed in the ascension of soccer in the American sports-entertainment world, so stepping into a charter member of the league is an incredible moment," he said.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber cited the Hunt's family stewardship of the Crew, which included the building of the country's first soccer-specific stadium in 1996.
The Hunts continue to own the FC Dallas franchise.
