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Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained

Wexner is set to testify as pressure mounts over the Epstein files.

Politics & Policy

Embattled billionaire Les Wexner is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his association with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" target="_self">Jeffrey Epstein</a> as public pressure mounts on the L Brands founder and his many Columbus connections.Why it matters: Wexner permanently shaped Central Ohio. He&#x27;s Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="richest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" target="_self">richest</a> person and an international business titan whose influence extends well beyond our state.

Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty

Some Columbus fans say rising costs are changing how often they can attend matches.

News

Since moving to a new Arena District home in 2021, the Crew has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="built momentum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" data-vars-content-id="299f6024-2780-40b8-802b-421bd9e73bd0" data-vars-headline="Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">built momentum</a> on packed crowds and good atmosphere — but is it waning?Why it matters: Some fans say they&#x27;re being priced out, while others worry costs are stalling that momentum.

Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep

Zach Werenski and Laila Edwards delivered key assists.

Both U.S. hockey teams brought home the gold from Milan with dramatic 2-1 overtime wins over Canada — and that&#x27;s thanks to some big assists <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" data-vars-content-id="3397ff2b-510e-4654-92fb-618d7976bf44" data-vars-headline="Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" target="_self">from Ohio</a>.Why it matters: The men&#x27;s victory ended a 46-year drought, their first gold since the 1980 &quot;Miracle on Ice.&quot;

Poll: Should Les Wexner's name stay on buildings?

Scrutiny is growing over the donor's Jeffrey Epstein ties.

Ohio State&#x27;s new University Hospital welcomed its first patients over the weekend as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over 100 protesters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" target="_blank">over 100 protesters</a> demanded that Les Wexner&#x27;s name be removed from it.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" target="_blank">debate</a> over the billionaire donor&#x27;s naming rights likely isn&#x27;t going anywhere, amid renewed scrutiny over his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ties to Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" target="_self">ties to Jeffrey Epstein</a>.

Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals

Currently most states allow teen NIL deals, but that may change.

Ohio high school athletes have been legally able to strike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="name, image and likeness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/high-school-athletes-nil-deals" data-vars-content-id="b421c559-109c-4d2f-83e1-69fdde964704" data-vars-headline="Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/high-school-athletes-nil-deals" target="_self">name, image and likeness</a> deals for a few months, but a proposed law could make the practice short-lived.

The Crew is back in a World Cup year

Here's a 2026 season preview for the Columbus Crew and its new faces.

Major League Soccer returns this week, with the Crew aiming for a bounce-back season.Why it matters: Soccer is in the spotlight with America hosting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/11/world-cup-tickets-available-for-capital-one-venture-x-visa-cardholders" data-vars-content-id="aad2cef1-36e1-48cc-9f1e-a3b07bd6833e" data-vars-headline="The Crew is back in a World Cup year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/11/world-cup-tickets-available-for-capital-one-venture-x-visa-cardholders" target="_self">World Cup</a> this year, and Columbus has established itself as a perennial MLS contender.

Olympic spotlight lifts Ohio's niche winter sports

From curling to snowboarding, it's the Winter Games' time to shine.

The Winter Olympics in Milan are halfway across the globe, but Central Ohio enthusiasts expect an uptick in interest in their sports this month as people watch the Games.Why it matters: The Olympics don&#x27;t just boost the economy of host cities — they can be a crucial window during which niche and seasonal sports find new lifelong participants.

Ohio's Winter Olympics representation in Milan

From Buckeye natives to collegiate and professional stars.

Sports

Ohio will be well represented at this year&#x27;s Olympics, with athletes ranging from native Buckeyes to those who made their names here.

Columbus will host 2028 Summer Olympics soccer

The men's and women's tournaments will play at the home of the Crew and at other U.S. cities.

Columbus is hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics — or at least a few games.Why it matters: This will mark Columbus&#x27; debut on the Olympic stage and a new step for a city once known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the &quot;spiritual home&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37621522/how-did-columbus-become-usmnt-spiritual-home-continue-be" data-vars-content-id="d17b3cf4-3627-4a8d-8606-128a16e3a317" data-vars-headline="Columbus will host 2028 Summer Olympics soccer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37621522/how-did-columbus-become-usmnt-spiritual-home-continue-be" target="_blank">the &quot;spiritual home&quot;</a> of the U.S. Men&#x27;s National Team.

Go-kart racers compete at K1 Speed for state title

Plus: What it's like to drive these fast go-karts.

As our roads recover from the winter storm, some of Central Ohio&#x27;s fastest driving may come indoors at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hilliard&#x27;s K1 Speed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.k1speed.com/columbus-location.html" data-vars-content-id="557764b6-4d48-4cdb-be5b-97c366098fb5" data-vars-headline="Go-kart racers compete at K1 Speed for state title" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.k1speed.com/columbus-location.html" target="_blank">Hilliard&#x27;s K1 Speed</a> this weekend.Driving the news: The track hosts Ohio&#x27;s 2026 state championship Saturday, a chance for the state&#x27;s best kart racers to punch their tickets to the national championship in California.

A dozen OSU women's hockey players head to the Olympics

The Olympians include current and former Buckeyes representing several countries.

The women&#x27;s hockey tournament at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 Winter Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/17/winter-olympics-tickets-americans-visa" data-vars-content-id="c186061f-ef52-4c15-80cc-f886c070b0ad" data-vars-headline="A dozen OSU women&#x27;s hockey players head to the Olympics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/17/winter-olympics-tickets-americans-visa" target="_self">2026 Winter Olympics</a> in Milan is 4,000 miles away from Columbus, but there&#x27;s a good chance Ohio State athletes will help decide who wins gold.Checking the news: OSU sends a whopping 12 current and former OSU players to the games, which start <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Feb. 6" data-vars-click-url="https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympicwomen" data-vars-content-id="c186061f-ef52-4c15-80cc-f886c070b0ad" data-vars-headline="A dozen OSU women&#x27;s hockey players head to the Olympics" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://teamusa.usahockey.com/2026olympicwomen" target="_blank">Feb. 6</a>.

Our weekend picks: Fury home opener, rock shows and winter hikes

Plus: Zoso's Led Zeppelin tribute show is at Kemba Live.

Things to Do

Columbus&#x27; pro volleyball team is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back on the court" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/10/columbus-fury-pro-volleyball-league-nationwide-arena-match" data-vars-content-id="e7fc8d00-10f2-46af-a82a-024b6392dbdd" data-vars-headline="Our weekend picks: Fury home opener, rock shows and winter hikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/10/columbus-fury-pro-volleyball-league-nationwide-arena-match" target="_self">back on the court</a> for a third season with nowhere to go but up.🏐 Our pick: The Fury&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saturday home opener" data-vars-click-url="https://provolleyball.com/news/2026/01/fury-finalize-opening-night-roster" data-vars-content-id="e7fc8d00-10f2-46af-a82a-024b6392dbdd" data-vars-headline="Our weekend picks: Fury home opener, rock shows and winter hikes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://provolleyball.com/news/2026/01/fury-finalize-opening-night-roster" target="_blank">Saturday home opener</a> against Omaha.

Sports 🏅

Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals

Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep

The Crew is back in a World Cup year

Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty

Move over, Buckeyes: Miami is Ohio's best bet