Clanregeln » shooting 36.5 percent for the ballgame.STAT

The original ownership group of the Columbus Crew wasnt looking to sell. Instead, Hunt Sports Group was seeking a local investor to purchase a minority share in the MLS franchise. Once businessman Anthony Precourt began to learn more about the club, though, it was only a matter of time before he could convince Hunt Sports Group to sell the entire franchise. The deal was announced on Tuesday, the day before the leagues annual All-Star game. Precourt Sports Ventures LLC will take over operating rights to the franchise from the company run by Clark Hunt, whose late father Lamar Hunt helped establish the league nearly 20 years ago. "We have all the resources we need to make the Crew increasingly relevant locally and nationally, stronger financially and more competitive on the field," Precourt said. "Im going to take this job extremely seriously. It has really consumed me, and trust me, Ive had many sleepless nights over the past few months, thinking about and dreaming about our future together." The Crew, which won the MLS Cup in 2008, was one of the charter members of the league, and Hunt called it a "bittersweet" day for his family and company. But he also made it clear that Hunt Sports Group will remain active in MLS through its ownership of FC Dallas. "We were initially very taken back by his interest," Hunt said, "but after we got to know Anthony, we concluded that he was the right guy to lead the Columbus Crew." During the early days of Major League Soccer, every team was owned by just a few different groups. But over the years, those teams have slowly taken on more local ownership -- Hunt Sports Group sold the franchise in Kansas City in 2006 -- in an attempt to diversify the league. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said following the dedication of futsal courts in Kansas City, Kan., on Tuesday that the sale of the represented a "great development" for the league. "Its been a long time from our days when we had three owners," Garber said, "and now were soon to have 20 teams and with the exception of the 50 per cent ownership that Phil Anschutz has in Houston, we have one team and one owner, and thats been a goal of this league since 2002." The Crew, the only MLS club in Ohio, has experienced plenty of success since its founding. Along with capturing its first MLS Cup five years ago, it also won the U.S. Open Cup in 2002 and the Supporters Shield for the leagues best regular-season record on three occasions. The club was also groundbreaking in that it opened the first stadium built specifically for an MLS team in 1999. The facility has been used by the U.S. national team for several competitions, and has served as a blueprint for other soccer-specific stadiums across the league. Garber said that Precourt, whose Precourt Capital Management provides investment management services and private equity investing in the energy sector, began to express interest in expanding into the sports and entertainment realm more than a year ago. Precourt was drawn to MLS, and began discussions with Hunt about four months ago on purchasing part of the Columbus franchise. Over time, Precourt became more enamoured of the league. "We werent pressuring them to sell the team," Garber said, "but as discussions proceeded and Anthony got more involved in MLS and did his due diligence, he said, Hey, I want to own all this team, and he was able to convince the Hunt family to sell him 100 per cent interest in the club." Precourt said that while Columbus is "a very healthy franchise," he has plenty of plans to make it even stronger. The club has close to 7,000 season ticketholders and would like to reach 10,000 in the near future. The new ownership will discuss naming rights options, and that hell look at the Crew brand to see if there are ways to make it more exciting. "Ill tell you that were going to be thoughtful and thorough about the decisions we make," Precourt said. "Were not going to make knee-jerk reactions. Our intent is to come in and have it be status quo here for a while and just assess the situation -- learn, ask a lot of questions, and by season end, well start to build our business plan for the following year." Precourt said that while he lives in Northern California, he plans to establish a second home in Ohio and made a promise to Crew fans that he will "by no means be an absentee owner." "This club, and any sports franchise for that matter, should be a sacred community asset. That is how were going to treat the Crew," he said. "Our goal will be to take the Crew to be one of the standard bearers in the league." Adidas Shoes Clearance Sale . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Adidas Outlet Nz . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. http://www.cheapadidasshoesnz.com/ . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. Discount Adidas Nz . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Cheap Adidas Shoes Nz . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Barry Brown paused during Friday nights postgame press conference when it appeared something was wrong. He stood up and tried to get rid of an oncoming charley horse.For Brown, that charley horse was well earned.Brown had 11 of his 18 points in the first half, and Kansas State opened the season with an 82-55 win over Western Illinois on Friday night.The thing I like is that he was very efficient, head coach Bruce Weber said about Brown.Going 7 for 11, six rebounds, three assists ... there were some times where I thought he needed to pass the ball a little bit quicker when the offense got stagnant. Weve had a lot of guys who played well but Barrys probably been the most consistent day in and day out.After a slow start by both teams, Browns offense got the Wildcats going first and they relinquished the lead only once in the first half. At one point, Brown had as many points as Western Illinois with at 11 apiece.Xavier Sneed and Wesley Iwundu added 17 points each for Kansas State while Garret Covington was the high man for Western Illinois with 17 points as well.Wasnt too nervous before the game, said Sneed who was in his college debut. Had a couple of butterflies. I think Ill be clear of them by the next game.Despite struggling from the field for a majority of the contest, the Wildcats led bby no less than eight in the second half.dddddddddddd. Kamau Stokes chipped in 11.Western Illinois struggled to be consistent from the field shooting 36.5 percent for the ballgame.STAT OF THE NIGHTAfter shooting 32 percent in the first half, the Wildcats shot 62.5 percent from the floor in the second, including 7 for 7 from the 3-point line.INJURIESKansas State forward Dante Williams was missing from Friday nights contest as he was going through the concussion protocol. Coach Weber is not sure he will be ready for Tuesdays contest against Omaha.BIG PICTUREWestern Illinois: The Leathernecks only one player other than Covington in double figures on the night as Dalan Ancrum scored 12 points.Kansas State: The win by Kansas State gives head coach Bruce Weber his 17th season-opening victory in his 19-year coaching career and the programs third straight since 2014.UP NEXTWestern Illinois: Two games await the Leathernecks at home against Oak Hills Christian and Southeast Missouri State before heading on the road to face Eastern Illinois.Kansas State: The Wildcats will host Omaha for the second game in a five-game home stand to start the season before going to the Barclays Center Classic. ' ' '