DC United Hoping To Reap Benefits As Sole RFK Tenant

United In Negotiations With DCSEC On New RFK Lease

MLS United, which will enter the '08 season as RFK Stadium's sole tenant, is negotiating with the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission (DCSEC) "on a new lease and seeking a revenue sharing deal that will allow the club to reap some additional money from advertising" at the facility, according to Tim Lemke of the WASHINGTON TIMES. In the past, United "has earned revenue from field-level advertising boards, but all other advertising revenue has gone to the commission" and DCSEC is "not likely to give away advertising money readily." The organization, which has an operating budget of about $8M, "recently received preliminary approval from the DC Council for $2[M] to cover a budget shortfall for this fiscal year." DCSEC CEO Greg O'Dell said of lease negotiations with United, "We want it to be a good deal for them, but it has to be a good deal for us." Lemke notes United had proposed building a soccer-specific stadium with mixed-use development at Poplar Point in DC, but “talks between the city and team broke down last year.” DC is expected to select a developer for the site soon and “all of the finalists for the project have included a soccer stadium as an option in their plans.” Additionally, United officials are in "early talks about a new stadium" in Prince George's County (MD), and the team also "could pursue building a stadium elsewhere in [DC], including on land near RFK." However, the club “likely will remain at RFK until at least the 2010 season and most likely beyond” (WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/30).