United Owner Washington Soccer LP, "unwilling to sink
more money into" the team, "has not met a multi-million
dollar cash-call obligation" to MLS, according to Brooke
Tunstall of the WASHINGTON TIMES. The group is
"withholding" its $2-3M obligation until new owners emerge
for the team because it is "becoming frustrated with the
selling process" and wants to "maximize its profits."
United President Kevin Payne said that the league "has
agreed to let United slide on its cash-call payments while
the team is on the market even though the league needs the
money." Washington Soccer "is believed to be" asking for
$25M for the team, and the new owners "would be responsible
for current and future cash-call obligations and for
providing operating capital for [the] United," which has
lost around $3M each year. According to Payne, a 50/50
revenue split with RFK Stadium and an average attendance of
18,000 "would allow the team to break even." Payne added
that Washington Soccer has invested about $18M in the team
and that "three potential groups are considering purchasing
the United" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/27).
