Stadium News, Speculation & Possible Truthiness XXVII: This time with less Zzzzzzzzz

Ouch

 

If anything, this might be good news.

Consider: there are folks up in Maryland who almost sound a little worried that DCU might *not* actually leave DC. Did the previous 2010 study have any "DCU payback" clause? If it did, we never heard about it.
That's new.

Is this change due to the growing feasibilty of Buzzard Point or just the bean-counters in Annapolis playing CYA this time?

 

Well, it does suggest that Maryland doesn't want to be used as leverage in negotiations with DC. As for United it means they're coming close to a decision point. By agreeing to cover the costs if they don't make the move, they're taking the steps needed to move forward with a proposal on the Westport site -- from their end, and the state's end. Moving forward with plans sets up United with a realistic option, so it will also force the District's hand. It's put up or shut up time. United has a two-year lease, I'd guess they've pretty much determined they need to know where they're going next before they sign a new lease.

Hard to know exactly what United wants from the city right now, but it does seem that the team is prepared to put up a lot of change to build the stadium at Buzzard's Point. They do want some help from the city, and it's surely more than just the land the city holds at the site. Maybe tax-increment financing, maybe help procuring land from Pepco, paying for new infrastructure, zoning changes, maybe a tax break on revenues from the stadium, parking, movie theater, pub and restaurant complex the team has planned. If they want money from the city they won't get it, but they might get the other stuff. A weakened Mayor Gray probably doesn't help, but if he's forced to quit, the next mayor might not want to start out by letting a $150-200 million project and a popular sports team walk away. On the other hand, if Gray isn't implicated, he might try to reach out beyond his base to the Latino and Caucasians that supported Fenty in large numbers. If he can make a case that helping United with its plans won't end up costing the city, agreeing to the stadium might help him withstand a challenge from Evans or Wells. Honestly, I doubt this stadium project would not be a big deal for voters either way, but if it paved the way for the 'Skins to return to the city? That would make the Mayor a hero.

 

On the other hand, if Gray isn't implicated, he might try to reach out beyond his base to the Latino and Caucasians that supported Fenty in large numbers. If he can make a case that helping United with its plans won't end up costing the city, agreeing to the stadium might help him withstand a challenge from Evans or Wells. Honestly, I doubt this stadium project would not be a big deal for voters either way, but if it paved the way for the 'Skins to return to the city? That would make the Mayor a hero.[/quote]

An excellent quote. I hadn't seen that angle. We can only hope that United and the city have a good strategy to present it in a way that it helps the elected official. We're also now in a better environment in that the Nats are winning and filling their stadium.

 

Accordingly to Craig Stouffer on Twitter (about 2 hours ago):
DCU just introduced at end of practice to Erick Thohir and others who are here at RFK. Status of potential investment in team? Not sure.
#DCU not commenting on Thohir appearance. Notable, at least to me, that Chang not present. Could mean nothing, though.

 

i remember his name being thrown around a few months ago... definately worth noting that he was actually at RFK... hopefully goffinho or somebody can scrounge something up about this visit.

 

Note: See the last paragraph on the first page of the Post article.

 

I'd expect him to show up at a match instead of a practice. I guess he's busy Saturday night...

 

Man if he is *at saturday's game*, some one should scrap up some tifo for him. Sell it baby!

 

I doubt he'll be here today. He's got a game that's a wee bit more important up in Boston.

Thx,

Jay!

 

Maybe Thohir and Will Smith could invest in the real MIB?

 

But is it Jay, really? The last important game for the Sixers was in 1983...

 

Or 2001. The Sixers have been to the Finals more than any team not named the Lakers or Celtics.

Thx,

Jay!

 

I have money on AI sneaking on the court after a timeout.

 

double post

 

i think i saw him with a big group of people when i was in the tunnel at RFK before kickoff.

 

My understanding is that Erick Thohir was not there but his employees were. Also, the best thing people can do to help out is to show up for games.

 

Maybe i just saw his employees...oh well. Thats almost as good.

 

Go ahead and say they all look alike. We know you want to...

 

I'm gonna stay away from this one haha.

 

Not sure if it ever made it up here, but here's a nice bit on Thohir...
http://www.blackandredunited.com/20...thohir-rumored-to-be-interested-in-d-c-united

 

I had missed the part about a reality show. That's likely critical to the stadium deal. Should I be thinking Hard Knocks, Sueno MLS, Real World returning to RFK or Basketball Wives?