When then-owner Anthony Precourt announced plans to move the Crew to Austin, Texas, Columbus fans organized an unprecedented grassroots campaign. The Save the Crew movement gained national attention and political support.
The campaign succeeded: Precourt sold the team to local buyers (the Haslam and Edwards families), the Crew stayed in Columbus, and Precourt was awarded a new expansion franchise in Austin (Austin FC). The episode demonstrated the power of fan activism in MLS.