The Front Office Purge of 2012

Breaking news from Goff.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs.../27/exclusive-kevin-payne-leaving-d-c-united/

Whoa!! Did I wake up in the twilight zone? I thought for sure we were stuck with him after the year we had.

Stunned. Which team is he going to?

*sarcasm* NYRB *sarcasm*

Wow.

From Goff's article:

I blame Michael Mejido.

Thank you Kevin Payne for all you did for the club. Especially, helping to establish the supporter - club relationship.

The good: A positive change for what will hopefully be a new era for D.C. United.

The bad: "The new president is likely to focus on business operations, granting greater autonomy to General Manager Dave Kasper and Coach Ben Olsen to handle roster decisions."

For all the trouble the club has had in the last 5 years, we have a lot to thank Kevin Payne for. He played a big role in establishing the culture of the club from the very beginning, and he clearly cared greatly for D.C. United (for better or worse). I wish him the best of luck wherever he ends up (unless it's NY or Philly or New England or Chicago or LA.)

Toronto is looking for a new team president and this was leaked only about a week ago... The timing, coincidence?

I'm still not sure I can believe it.

Does this mean a finalized stadium announcement could indeed actually happen within 60-90 days?

Well, I have wanted this day to come for a long time. But now that it has, I am more melancholy than I expected.

For all the disagreements I've had with Payne and for as long as I've thought he needed to be replaced, there's also no denying what he's done for the organization, especially establishing a culture with the fans that brings the team and the supporters as close as any in pro sports. That, more than the championships, is his legacy.

So, while I think him leaving is best for the club, I still thank him for all that he has done for the organization and and have a tinge of sadness at him leaving.

And, I suppose we shouldn't be surprised. New owners want their people and its not like this team has been such a success, on and off the field the last few years, that the case for keeping Payne was so strong.

Between attendance being down, the stadium situation, the team missing the playoffs 5 years in a row and the poor performances by the DPs, the case for replacing Payne was strong.

But, while all that made the case for replacing him, that doesn't mean his legacy is forgotten or not appreciated.

Yeah, not too thrilled about Kasper getting more responsibility. If anything, I'd like to see him follow Payne.

I believe KP had his hand in too many pies the last couple years and few of those pies ever made it into the oven, much less the display case.

Second this. Thank you for years of effort on United's behalf. I hope that whoever fills your role with the club cares as much as you did, and values the role of the supporters as much as you did.

Thank you, Kevin Payne, for many years of service to DC United.

The criticisms of KP on BigSoccer are too numerous to count, but that's the nature of pro sports. Another part is that new ownership often means new management. I think even his most ardent critics would concede, however, that KP bled black-and-red, and he did much good for DC United. We owe him gratitude for being very important to DCU's growth. Vamos KP!

I wish him the best.

Yeah, that statement implying the front office is a mess is pretty damning.

Oh my.

I don't think that's a suprise to anyone who has followed the team to any serious degree. I'm actually surprised we're not seeing more changes. I would've expected a pretty thorough housecleaning with a new ownership group.

don't know what to say. I have had my beefs with KP, but I hope him the best of luck in the future.

this

And we probably will, once Payne's replacement gets in and takes stock.

This is bittersweet. Payne still presided over 4 MLS Cups, 2 US Open Cups and a few Supporter Shields (forget how many? Even with all that, his biggest legacy in the end may be the nurturing of the relationship with supporters which was way more progressive than any of the original MLS clubs.

Having said that most businesses and organizations can become stagnant under the same leadership. We see this in government, corporations and it's no different in sports. New blood can bring the potential for new energy on many fronts.

I'd be surprised if Kasper would stick around. New executives like to bring in their own people.

There are exemptions like when Olsen kept Ashton around instead of bringing in his own guy