With stadium deal after stadium deal collapsing like so many dominoes, D.C. United owners are coming to grips with the harsh reality that finding a new home for Major League Soccer's most storied franchise just might be impossible. That realization has MLS, and specifically commissioner Don Garber stating publicly that if a deal doesn't get done, moving the four-time MLS champions may be inevitable.
"What's the worst case scenario? We play at RFK. The team loses a lot of money, and at some point our owners are going say, `We can't do this anymore. We're done,'" Garber told the Associated Press on Thursday. "If they don't get out of RFK, at some point we're going to have to make a decision about moving that team."
Is that Garber's honest assessment, or an attempt at applying pressure on D.C./Maryland/Virginia officials to get a deal done? It's easy to see it as posturing, but who exactly would Garber be threatening? The District of Columbia? Maryland? With no stadium deal close to becoming a reality, Garber's threats about D.C. United moving are basically going ignored in the political sector, yet ringing loudly in the ears of both D.C. United fans and MLS fans who understand the importance of keeping D.C. United in D.C.
The harsh reality is that what Garber has said is true. Without a new stadium, and the revenue streams that it creates, D.C. United will die a slow financial death at RFK Stadium and its owners would likely have to sell. That truth is magnified by the grim reality that finding a stadium deal in the current economic climate is next to impossible, which would make finding new owners who would keep the team in the D.C. area extremely difficult.
Ironically enough, the diversity of D.C. United's fanbase may work against United when it comes to securing a stadium because the team draws fans from D.C., Maryland and Virginia. That diversity dilutes the impact of fans applying pressure on specific politicians or political groups, unlike what we have seen and are seeing in cities like Portland and Houston, where vocal support from fans carries more weight among politicians who are aware that all those clamoring for soccer teams and stadiums are potential voters for their jobs.
Make no mistake, moving D.C. would be devastating for the league and would cost MLS some of its most passionate fans, but Garber's words about moving D.C. United should be seen less as posturing and more as preparing the league's fans, and D.C. United's fans, for what may become inevitable.
What do you think about the D.C. United stadium situation? Do you think moving D.C. United is a realistic option? As a D.C. fan, would you give up on MLS immediately? As Red Bulls/Fire/Revs fans, could you see an MLS without D.C. United?
Share your thoughts below.
I live and die with Red Bull NY, and I can tell you that, as a fan, I would HATE to see the loss of DC United. As much as we hate them in NY, it wouldn’t be the same without them (like the Yanks without the Red Sux or the Giants without the Deadskins). But I do understand that noone can operate in the red too long…that’s how the rich become poor.
All that being said…will the fat BARRA BRAVA member who stood in the front row at Giants Stadium with a cape and no shirt last weekend please NEVER do that again? Thanks, Tubby…your compliance is appreciated. Porker.
Why cant the league use some of the expansion fees to help keep D.C. United in D.C. by helping with some of the costs of the stadium?
If the revenue projections for the league are accurate then MLS should foot the bill for a DC area stadium alone. Its a single entity league, if it is an essential market, then the shareholders in MLS should undertake a project to build a suitable venue. They aren’t going to get a government funded stadium, and it is past time that state and local governments start cracking down on these corporate handouts.
Mayor Adrian Fenty = Worst mayor in D.C. History.
But there is no way United is leaving the D.C. area…Its just not going to happen. Garber is trying to help Chang and Co. increase their hand.
The Politburo of the MLS will just have to subsidize United until a stadium can be built….But under no circumstances would it benefit the MLS to dump its most successful fanbase.
If DC United leaves I will turn my back on MLS forever and I know a lot of other fans that would too. If they try another San Jose it won’t work. There are too many folks that will just return to Eurosnobbery. It’s easy, cheaper, and the quality of play is undoubtedly better. I’ve poured my heart into this club since 1996. If they move this squad I won’t go for it again.