Efforts to bring MLB to the Washington area are profiled in
the WASHINGTON BUSINESS JOURNAL. Former NFL star Calvin Hill is
"stepping up" his efforts to bring an MLB team to DC, while
District officials are "pondering" a stadium downtown, according
to John Lombardo. The Hill group is backed by investment firm
Goldman Sachs, and "could pose a serious challenge" to the other
group seeking a team led by telecom exec William Collins. DC
Sports Commission member Paul Wolff said they are investigating a
site that would fit in with MLB's desire to build in "center city
locations," and they are also looking to fit with Mayor Marion
Barry's plans to redevelop the downtown. The Collins group has
signed a letter of exclusivity with the Virginia Baseball Stadium
Authority (VSA) to build a stadium in No. VA, which Lombardo
writes "probably means Hill's best chances lie in the District."
Problems with a DC stadium include finding a suitable site and
financing. Members of the VSA doubt the "cash-strapped" District
can fund a new stadium, but the Commission's finance committee
plans to meet separately with the Hill and Collins groups on May
8. Wolff said at that point they will have a good idea of which
group is "serious in working with us" (WASHINGTON BUSINESS
JOURNAL, 4/19 issue). Virginia Baseball spokesperson Mike
Scanlon said their first commitment is to No. VA and that there
is a "healthy competition" between counties for a stadium site.
He expects four or five site proposals to be submitted by the
VSA's May 15 deadline. A financing package will then go to the
VA Legislature by July 1, with a final site approved by mid-
August. The VSA hopes to have all stadium issues resolved by
late August in order to start negotiations with MLB teams (THE
DAILY).
