Where would you move D.C. United?

[Jntg4]

Baltimore, Orlando, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Other, or stay in Washington? (The first two and the last one seem the most realistic IMO).

 

[Jntg4]

I'd personally move them to Baltimore, not too far away, same TV market, and a chance to actually get a SSS.

 

[AE23]

i think DC has the highest income per capita, probably cos all of the crooks in Congress and the Senate, they dont go to games, and thats another story

 

[DCguy]

The city will most likely lower the lease at RFK Stadium for them. Now that they have the Military Bowl there every year, they can afford to give DC United a break and use some of that money from the bowl to upkeep RFK.

 

[Jntg4]

The city will most likely lower the lease at RFK Stadium for them. Now that they have the Military Bowl there every year, they can afford to give DC United a break and use some of that money from the bowl to upkeep RFK.

That's good, it would be kinda sad to see such a successful franchise have to relocate, so this is really good news.

 

[giaco]

It isn't just in the hands of DC though -- as the article explains, first things first is to get a better lease cost at RFK, that much is true. But then, they want to find a permanent solution to their location....in DC or not.

Garber increasingly concerned over DC United's future | MLSsoccer.com

NEW YORK – Commissioner Don Garber reiterated his concerns about D.C. United’s future on Thursday, when looking ahead to the 2012 MLS season.

In his 2011 State of the League teleconference, Garber confirmed the real possibility of relocating the franchise from their expensive home at RFK Stadium.

“If they can’t get a new improved lease in D.C., they’ve got to move to another facility in the region,” Garber said. “I will be supportive of that and help them do that. If they can’t find a solution in Baltimore, then we’ll have to go through the same process as we did with San Jose to think about potentially moving the team.”

The Commissioner pointed to the franchise being one of the most decorated in the league’s history – four MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields and two US Open Cups support this notion – and he feels United should be getting more support from local government when it comes to building a new stadium.

“I remain concerned and I’m continually frustrated,” Garber said. “This team has been an important asset for the community. It has delivered on everything that a pro sports team should be focused on. They‘ve been successful for the most part on the field and they’ve been engaged in the community.”

Garber also believes D.C. need to find a solution as soon as possible, as RFK Stadium is not only proving costly, but also ineffective towards the spectator experience.

“I’m shocked to say that I believe they could be paying more for their lease in RFK than any other team we have in the league,” said the Commissioner. “There is no doubt in my mind that it's a stadium that is substandard to what soccer fans are able to experience in many other marks in the US and Canada.”

However, the Commissioner revealed he is not purely asking government officials for a new stadium to be built in the Nation's Capitol. Instead, Garber wants help renegotiating a better deal for D.C. at RFK first and foremost.

“All I know is that Part 1 of this project is not asking the mayor to give us money to build a stadium in D.C.,” Garber said. “The first part is to try to renew a lease at RFK that makes economic sense for a soccer team that delivers great value, employs lots and lots of people and has been a good member of the community.”

Nevertheless Garber remains worried about the road ahead for D.C. United.

“I am concerned about where this team will be in 2012,” Garber said. “We have to aggressively figure a solution out and that solution needs to be figured out soon.”

 

[Jntg4]

Good point Giaco, but at least it would stall a relocation for another couple seasons and give things time to pan out.

 

[nickofypres]

Toledo

 

[Jntg4]

Toledo

 

[DCguy]

If the MLS wants DC United to stay in DC, then they either have to deal with RFK or build another stadium funded by the team or MLS. I think they will be able to obtain a more affordable lease though. But the City already said they cannot build a stadium because of the economy. They might want to look at the outskirts of DC to find a place to build a stadium like the Redskins did because they will still be able to have the same fan base for the team and the team has a very good fan base in DC.

 

[Jntg4]

If the MLS wants DC United to stay in DC, then they either have to deal with RFK or build another stadium funded by the team or MLS. I think they will be able to obtain a more affordable lease though. But the City already said they cannot build a stadium because of the economy. They might want to look at the outskirts of DC to find a place to build a stadium like the Redskins did because they will still be able to have the same fan base for the team and the team has a very good fan base in DC.

Redskins play in Landover IIRC, right?

 

[DCguy]

Redskins play in Landover IIRC, right?

Yes they do.

 

[Jntg4]

Update:
STADIUM: “Keep D.C. United” Appeal for Buzzard Point Stadium : Major League Soccer (MLS) Rumors – For the time between the games.

 

[Jntg4]

D.C. is in negotiations for a short-term lease at RFK, but did not officially name a home venue for their home opener... interesting.