DC United yesterday "finally reached" a lease deal to
play in RFK Stadium, "just two days" before their season
opener, according to Eric Fisher of the WASHINGTON TIMES.
The team and the DC Sports Commission agreed to a one-year
extension of their "pact from last year with minor
modifications." Neither party would disclose the specific
changes, but the terms from last year "were not financially
beneficial" to the team. United, which pays "about" $60,000
per game to use RFK, "receives none of the concession
revenues and only" 12.5% of parking revenues. The "lack of
access to those key revenues has played a large role in
United failing to make a profit" since its '96 inception.
Despite an average attendance of "more than" 17,000, "fast-
rising" sponsorship levels and a "larger season ticket base"
than the Capitals, United "lost more than" $1.5M last year.
The team has agreed to wait until Majority Owner Soros Fund
Management sells the franchise before seeking a long-term
deal with the DC Sports Commission (WASHINGTON TIMES, 3/24).
