Orlando City SC has "agreed to pay the city" about $18M for the land on which the team's $155M stadium will be built, "enough to match or surpass what taxpayers have spent to ready the site," according to a front-page piece by Jeff Weiner of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. But the contracts only ensure that MLS matches "would be played in the new venue for 10 years, less than half" of the Magic's 25-year lease at Amway Center. OCSC has "committed to play" at least 80% of its home games in the new stadium or the Citrus Bowl "for at least the next 10 years, or until the team's mortgage is paid, whichever comes later." Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer's Deputy Chief of Staff Heather Fagan said that Orlando City "is an unusual case, given that the team is paying to build its own venue instead of relying on taxpayer dollars." She said, "We feel that they have more committed into the project and so they're less likely to leave." Orlando City VP/Communications Lenny Santiago said, "It was decided 10 years would be a good starting point." Weiner cites records as showing the sale contract "calls for a down payment from the team" of about $4.1M, though "about three-quarters of that will cover still-needed modifications to the site's stormwater system." According to the contract, the team "will pay in two, $200,000 payments per year, starting in year three." The city also estimates the stadium "will bring in" $1M in property tax annually (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 1/21). Meanwhile, in Orlando, Marco Santana noted team officials yesterday announced "the launch of a 3D platform to give fans a sneak peek" at the new stadium. The Virtual Venue-powered tech "is available at the team's website and is viewable on mobile devices" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 1/20).
COMING SOON: DC United officials said that revised renderings for the MLS club's new stadium at Buzzard Point "have been submitted as part of the zoning commission process. DC United Managing General Partner Jason Levien said that he "expects the city to turn over control of the land to the club this summer, with the hope of breaking ground soon thereafter." He noted that seating capacity "will fall between 18,000 and 23,000" (WASHINGTON POST, 1/20).
