UPDATE: Major League Soccer has released the following statement:
Major League Soccer has received the letter from Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. We are in the process of reviewing the letter and preparing a formal response. Although that review is not yet complete, we strongly disagree with Judge Wolff’s assertion that we misled either him or any public official about the prospects for San Antonio acquiring an MLS expansion team.”
Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff says the District Attorney's office will investigate whether Major League Soccer's dealings with San Antonio over the possibility of an expansion franchise were 'fraudulent,' News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Wolff said in a strongly worded letter to MLS Commissioner Don Garber that he and other local officials were never told that the owner of the Columbus franchise had an option in his agreement to relocate the team to Austin, an option that the owner is now attempting to exercise.
"When they pull a fast one like that, I have a tendency not to want to deal with dishonest people," he told News Radio 1200 WOAI. "They need to prove to me their honesty."
Wolff said when County officials met with MLS in 2015 about investing in Toyota Field as a possible home of an expansion franchise, they were told there was a 'clear path toward a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in San Antonio.
"Had Bexar County been made aware of such a rights, we would not have invested in Toyota Field," Wolff wrote.
When asked if the idea of an expansion big league franchise in San Antonio is 'dead,' he replied "it sure sounds like it to me.'
"The Commissioner himself has jumped out in front and filed for a name for the Austin franchise," he said. "I'm not going to be the last girl asked to the prom, and be used throughout this whole process." he said.
Wolff asked the MLS to respond to his concerns, and promised that District Attorney Nico LaHood will report back to Commissioners Court with a recommendation.