DC moving to Baltimore

[drexel10]

Good friend of mine in Baltimore bumped into a politician that he knows and the politician said he was next door talking to DC reps about a move to Baltimore. Not much more than that, but it is looking very possible. This will be very interesting.

[Juanito]

Makes sense. Maryland is cheaper than DC.

[Dunkers]

next thing you know, DC united will be saying, the only way to stay in DC is to get a new stadium. That will be followed up with the councel in DC telling them to move to baltimore. Which in turn will be followed by DC united not doing a damn thing...but at least they made the annual attempt to get a new stadium...

[Brooker]

next thing you know, DC united will be saying, the only way to stay in DC is to get a new stadium. That will be followed up with the councel in DC telling them to move to baltimore. Which in turn will be followed by DC united not doing a damn thing...but at least they made the annual attempt to get a new stadium...

Bang on.

[Redcoe15]

Nothing but talk at this point. That's all there is until something concrete shows up.

[Oldtimer]

Nothing but talk at this point. That's all there is until something concrete shows up.

There has been talk for years of moving to Baltimore. The problem is that they will have to build a new fanbase mostly from scratch. I doubt that more than a minority will make the trek out that far.

[Wagner]

http://filmdrunk.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/clay-davis_campaign-poster.jpg

[London]

this story is older than pat onstad

[Keystone FC]

next thing you know, DC united will be saying, the only way to stay in DC is to get a new stadium.
Which they do need and pretty much is the situation for DCU to sty in DC.


That will be followed up with the councel in DC telling them to move to baltimore.
Actually I don't think the City Council would even say a word. DCU will make an announcement about needing a new stadium though.


Which in turn will be followed by DC united not doing a damn thing.
I don't know? Baltimore just did a study about putting a SSS near the other pro stadiums in the downtown area. Baltimore seems serious and DCU is desperate to get out of RFK. The only way they could stay in DC is to play at Ravens stadium (which will cost an arm and a leg to rent) while tearing down RFK and building a SSS in its place (which would be done without any help from DC) and thats IF D of C allow them to rebuild in that location.
Baltimore United...hmmm..has a nice ring to it.
Anyone else ready for another black and yellow team in MLS?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_Baltimore_City.svg/800px-Flag_of_Baltimore_City.svg.png (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Flag_of_Baltimore_City.svg)

[Wagner]

maybe they'll do this direction:
http://a.abcnews.go.com/images/WN/gty_maryland_football_uniform_jef_110906_wblog.jpg

[Juanito]

^^

UGH! Disgusting.

[__wowza]

why is this in TFC forum?

[CoachGT]

FYI, several RPB joined in a march with the Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles two years ago, a march for DC to have a new stadium. This is an old debate. DC has pretty much told the team that, despite a couple of false starts, there is no public money available for a new stadium. There have been rumours of moves a couple of times but nothing has ever gotten past the discussion stage. The league appears hesitant to forego what was once the strongest fan base in the entire league. But it seems to be suffering a little these days.

BB Bulldog sometimes comes on here and he could probably shed some light on this.

[Redcoe15]

maybe they'll do this direction:

[Edited to spare viewers the abhorrent ugliness of the picture.]
http://i815.photobucket.com/albums/zz74/victor_the_crab/WhatHasBeenSeenCannotBeUnseen-1.jpg?t=1315277158

[Empirical]

Good friend of mine in Baltimore bumped into a politician that he knows and the politician said he was next door talking to DC reps about a move to Baltimore. Not much more than that, but it is looking very possible. This will be very interesting.

was it tommy carcetti?

[james]

FYI, several RPB joined in a march with the Barra Brava and Screaming Eagles two years ago, a march for DC to have a new stadium. This is an old debate. DC has pretty much told the team that, despite a couple of false starts, there is no public money available for a new stadium. There have been rumours of moves a couple of times but nothing has ever gotten past the discussion stage. The league appears hesitant to forego what was once the strongest fan base in the entire league. But it seems to be suffering a little these days.

BB Bulldog sometimes comes on here and he could probably shed some light on this.

ya many TFC fans seem to get a bit big headed and go on and on about how TFC were the first and best supporters that saved the league. Truth was DC United had probably the first well organized supporters group, and had highest attendence in many years back when almost no teams had propper soccer stadiums and propper supporter groups and they all played on NFL gridlines. TFC fans helped the league grow and push its way but we were not the complete saviours of the league. DC United fans went through some tough days of early MLS and MLS has now grown 10x better to what it use to be. It would be a terrible shame if DC United fans were to lose there team now after once being the biggest team in MLS.

I also think if DC were to somehow get a new stadium they would be getting 17-20,000 fans a game for sure, considerring they use to get that years ago and a new stadium would bring that back. Its a market that deserves a team. Would be a shame to lose it. Id rather get rid of New England Revolution, they dont seem to even wont to grow and move into a new stadium, owner seems to have no interrest in the league.

[prizby]

lots of talk about this before, lots of talk still going on

just talk...politicians lie 98.3% of the time anywaz...really gonna believe this

[bgnewf]

Sporting KC built their new little gem of a stadium I believe without any city or state money. I believe the same is true for Houston and San Jose who are in the process of getting their new stadia built. There is no way the city is going to pay for a new stadium, not in this economic climate down there.

Yes it would be an absolute shame for DCU to move but at the end of the day it all comes down to the ownership group in DC having the guts to ante up for a stadium on their own coin or move the team. RFK is one step up from being condemned. They are starting to sound like the Toronto Argonauts, going on and on about their legacy and history, while on the other hand never paying a single cent in their history for their own stadium.

[drexel10]

this story is older than pat onstad

The story is, but this sounds like they are negotiating.

[CoachGT]

Id rather get rid of New England Revolution, they dont seem to even wont to grow and move into a new stadium, owner seems to have no interrest in the league.

Even though the New England owners, the Krafts, were one of only three owners in the league at one point, putting up money for the San Jose franchise back around 2000 and making sure they and the league stayed afloat. Without the Krafts, Lamar Hunt and Phil Anschutz in 2000, this league doesn't exist anymore. I'd say the Krafts have an interest and had one when few others did, despite some of the recent activities at New England.

[drexel10]

was it tommy carcetti?


City council pres.
Jack young

[Cashcleaner]

Shitty for the DCU fans - I feel their pain. But nobody should really expect the public to foot the bill for a new stadium given the state of the US economy.

[Oldtimer]

ya many TFC fans seem to get a bit big headed and go on and on about how TFC were the first and best supporters that saved the league. Truth was DC United had probably the first well organized supporters group, and had highest attendence in many years back when almost no teams had propper soccer stadiums and propper supporter groups and they all played on NFL gridlines. TFC fans helped the league grow and push its way but we were not the complete saviours of the league. DC United fans went through some tough days of early MLS and MLS has now grown 10x better to what it use to be. It would be a terrible shame if DC United fans were to lose there team now after once being the biggest team in MLS.


DC were the only MLS 1.0 team with decent support. LA had better attendance, but it was mostly casual fans. San Jose had a good SG that was badly hurt when the team was moved.

It's true that TFC supporters got big-headed when the attendance and atmosphere here dwarfed most MLS sides, but the Barra Brava really set the early standard, and we learned from them.

TFC's real contribution came from the club's early understanding of their fan base: they showed that you could do a lot better by marketing to soccer fans rather than general sports fans or soccer moms + kids. The whole league learned from that, and the success of the MLS 2.0 clubs proves that. Unfortunately, ML$E got arrogant and lost most of that early good will. They are no longer the model, and the new clubs are looking to Seattle as being the standard of how to do things.




I also think if DC were to somehow get a new stadium they would be getting 17-20,000 fans a game for sure, considerring they use to get that years ago and a new stadium would bring that back. Its a market that deserves a team. Would be a shame to lose it. Id rather get rid of New England Revolution, they dont seem to even wont to grow and move into a new stadium, owner seems to have no interrest in the league.

The fact that they get such good support in crumbling RFK is a real testimony to their great fan base.

The Revs are a different thing altogether. Kraft is a notorious cheapskate, and it's been stated that he wanted an MLS team to fill the empty days on his NFL stadium, and cover the overhead. The team has suffered from sub-par spending all along in all areas. Kraft opposed the DP rule, and the Revs didn't get a DP until this year.

The goal has been to run an MLS team as cheaply as practical, and put the revenues towards making the NFL franchise more profitable. I was actually very surprised that they sprung for a DP, and suspect that they only did that to keep the team from sinking even lower than they have.

They only did as well as they did in the past because Mariner was very good at drafting in those early days (it's been acknowledged by many MLS experts that he was the "brains" behind the team). Mariner + Nichol formed a very good business partnership. Nichol on his own hasn't done so well.

[Pookie]

The one interesting angle in all of this is the NFL's Washington Redskins. They currently play out of FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

While new, there have been a ton of complaints about it and the owner has been making a number of rumblings about wanting to move the team back to DC. Provided of course he could get a new stadium.

If DC has the concept of "revitalization" (or corporate welfare depending on your political perspective), they could do what Philly did and essentially build a sports "destination" complex in the heart of an area they want to grow.

Philly has Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles), Citizen's Bank Park (Phillies), Wells Fargo Center (Flyers and 76ers) all contained within walking distance of each other. The Union play a short distance away.

If part of a complex, DC could likely find the space and funds to contribute to a soccer specific stadium OR build the new NFL stadium in a way that allows soccer to florish as it does a Qwest in Seattle.

[troy1982]

The one interesting angle in all of this is the NFL's Washington Redskins. They currently play out of FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

While new, there have been a ton of complaints about it and the owner has been making a number of rumblings about wanting to move the team back to DC. Provided of course he could get a new stadium.

If DC has the concept of "revitalization" (or corporate welfare depending on your political perspective), they could do what Philly did and essentially build a sports "destination" complex in the heart of an area they want to grow.

Philly has Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles), Citizen's Bank Park (Phillies), Wells Fargo Center (Flyers and 76ers) all contained within walking distance of each other. The Union play a short distance away.

If part of a complex, DC could likely find the space and funds to contribute to a soccer specific stadium OR build the new NFL stadium in a way that allows soccer to florish as it does a Qwest in Seattle.

the expos moving to DC is what killed the DC United Stadium. Things were moving along nicely and the stadium was likely to be approved with some public funding. then the expos moved and the city built them a stadium instead and later changed their minds about helping United build there's, although they were in the city for 10 years before the baseball team. The fan base has been melting away ever since.

[Keystone FC]

The one interesting angle in all of this is the NFL's Washington Redskins. They currently play out of FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

While new, there have been a ton of complaints about it and the owner has been making a number of rumblings about wanting to move the team back to DC. Provided of course he could get a new stadium.

If DC has the concept of "revitalization" (or corporate welfare depending on your political perspective), they could do what Philly did and essentially build a sports "destination" complex in the heart of an area they want to grow.

Philly has Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles), Citizen's Bank Park (Phillies), Wells Fargo Center (Flyers and 76ers) all contained within walking distance of each other. The Union play a short distance away.

If part of a complex, DC could likely find the space and funds to contribute to a soccer specific stadium OR build the new NFL stadium in a way that allows soccer to florish as it does a Qwest in Seattle.
Finding the space...that's the trouble. There really is no land available to build a proper NFL/MLS stadium other than where RFK is right now. I'm sure there are areas of DC that could be 'revitalized' but in doing so may displace residents and then politics comes into play as it becomes 'The People vs Capitalism' and all hell breaks loose.
The best bet for DCU is either: 1. Baltimore, or 2. Leave RFK and build close enough to DC that they can still be called DCU.

[Keystone FC]

the expos moving to DC is what killed the DC United Stadium. Things were moving along nicely and the stadium was likely to be approved with some public funding. then the expos moved and the city built them a stadium instead and later changed their minds about helping United build there's, although they were in the city for 10 years before the baseball team. The fan base has been melting away ever since.
Actually pro baseball has been in DC a looooooot longer than soccer. Their 1st team (Washington Senators) was established in the 1800's and folded. Then a 2nd Senators team was created in 1901 until they moved and became the Twins in 1960. Then a 3rd Senators team was founded in 1961 and then moved and became the Texas Rangers in 1971. Then the Expos moved and became the Nationals of today. You would think that after the 3rd team they would have given up on this whole pro baseball idea, but this is America and there is nothing more American than baseball (especially in our nation's capital).

[prizby]

Philly has Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles), Citizen's Bank Park (Phillies), Wells Fargo Center (Flyers and 76ers) all contained within walking distance of each other. The Union play a short distance away.


and the difference in areas are extreme

[Pookie]

^ Having been through both, I'd say that although the Phillies/Flyers/Eagles area has open spaces it isn't a place you'd want to be walking around wearing visitor's colours either.

We stopped in at Tony Luke's for some cheesesteak prior to a Phillies' game which is a small shack just outside the stadium park and you knew you weren't in a nice area.

Any place that close to Camden, NJ is going to be rough

[Azerban]

those maryland jerseys are great btw

[Redcoe15]

those maryland jerseys are great btw
http://files.redux.com/images/bc4cb2d18aeb36e8e218829d24ed3978/raw