COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Council approved a $25 million funding plan Monday night to bring a professional women’s soccer team to the city, despite opposition from residents who say the project would displace a public park.
The Haslam Sports Group, owners of the Columbus Crew, is seeking to develop a women’s soccer training facility on the site of McCoy Park in southwest Columbus. The proposal has prompted both excitement about the prospect of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team and concern from residents over the potential loss of a community park.
The council passed the funding resolution by a 5-3 vote, with some members expressing reluctance. Council President Shannon Hardin said he was frustrated by the decision-making process.
“I am angry that we’re even considering that we give public park to billionaires,” Councilmember Nancy Day-Achauer said.
The $25 million in city funds would help transform McCoy Park into a training facility. According to council members, the site was submitted to the NWSL by Mayor Andrew Ginther and the Haslam Sports Group before the council had given its approval.
“It is not acceptable when the community gets cut out of the deal,” Hardin said.
The funding is structured as a loan to be repaid to the city through a 2% tax on tickets sold at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. However, financial concerns were not the only issues raised. Residents have spent years revitalizing McCoy Park and objected to losing the space. In response, the council added an amendment requiring the city to create a plan to replace McCoy Park, should Columbus be awarded an NWSL franchise. If a team is secured, the administration must form a working group with residents within 15 days and submit a replacement park plan within 60 days.
“It’s not enough,” said Liz Reed, chairperson of the Southwest Area Commission. “You can’t just plop the McCoy Park design and put it on a different location.”
Reed urged the council to vote against the proposal, saying it would erase years of community effort.
The approved amendments also require public access to the training facility and stipulate that the Haslam Sports Group must donate $3 million toward the new park.
“If we want to talk about how the public and the private can come together to solve problems in Columbus, this is one way, to put our money where our mouth is,” Hardin said.
Reed said local advocates have begun writing letters to the NWSL, explaining the situation and asking the league to consider the impact on the community if Columbus is selected as the new expansion city.
“We want this national team here, but not at the cost of McCoy Park, not at the cost of these disadvantaged children,” Reed said.
The Haslam Sports Group has also requested $25 million from Franklin County to support the project. The county board of commissioners is scheduled to discuss the proposal Tuesday.
The NWSL is expected to announce its 18th franchise this year, but a timeline has not been set. The new team, regardless of location, is expected to begin play in 2028.