Columbus City Council questions public funding request tied to Haslam-led NWSL bid and facilities planning

City leaders weigh economic-development goals against public-cost exposure as women’s soccer bid advances

Columbus City Council is signaling reluctance to commit public dollars sought by the Haslam family’s sports organization and Mayor Andrew Ginther’s administration as part of an effort to land a National Women’s Soccer League expansion team and develop related facilities. The request, framed as a package of investments needed to strengthen Columbus’ bid, has triggered questions inside council about timing, public benefit and whether private ownership groups should finance major sports infrastructure without city participation.

The debate is unfolding as the NWSL continues its rapid expansion. The league is set to add clubs in Boston and Denver in the 2026 season, reaching 16 teams, and has announced that it plans to award an 18th franchise to begin play in 2028. Columbus has been positioned publicly as a potential candidate, with the Haslam family—majority owners of the Columbus Crew—expressing interest in pursuing a team based in the city.

What is being discussed in Columbus

At the center of the latest council hesitation is a proposal tied to facilities. The effort includes the concept of a dedicated training site and improvements that would support top-division women’s professional soccer operations. In parallel, city government has highlighted existing soccer assets—such as Lower.com Field and the Crew’s OhioHealth Performance Center—as proof that Columbus can host and sustain elite programs.

However, council’s pushback reflects the practical reality that large sports capital projects frequently require multi-year commitments, structured financing and clear delineation of who bears construction and operating risks. Council members have raised concerns about committing municipal funds before key details are settled, including the precise scope of facilities, the public’s access to any upgraded or newly built amenities, and the enforceable terms that would apply if the team, league plans, or development timelines change.

Key decision points council is weighing

• Public return on investment: whether a municipal contribution would produce measurable community benefits, including access to fields, youth programming or broader neighborhood infrastructure improvements.

• Risk allocation: how cost overruns, delays or operational deficits would be handled and whether the city’s general fund would be insulated.

• Precedent: how any arrangement would compare to past local sports deals and what it would signal for future requests from professional teams.

• Timing and transparency: whether funding decisions are being asked for before the public can evaluate full project terms, site impacts and long-term obligations.

The current discussions underscore a familiar tension in urban sports economics: cities seek the visibility and activity associated with major-league teams, while elected officials face pressure to prioritize core services and avoid open-ended fiscal exposure.

What comes next

Any public contribution would require legislation and votes by council, along with clearer project documentation and negotiated safeguards. Separately, the NWSL’s rolling expansion process means Columbus’ bid will be evaluated alongside other ownership groups nationally, with franchise awards tied to readiness on ownership strength, venues and training infrastructure.

For now, council’s resistance suggests that if Columbus is to pursue an NWSL team, city leaders may need to sharpen the public-benefit case, detail enforceable terms, and clarify what level of private financing the ownership group will provide before the city participates.