DC United Managing General Partner Jason Levien said that the club will "explore opportunities to acquire marquee players that were previously out of its price range" after receiving final approval to build Audi Field, according to Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. Levien said, "We're going to take a hard look at it this summer for the second half of the year, and certainly at the end of the year." DC United "maintained one of the lowest payrolls" in MLS "while in a stadium holding pattern." Levien said the stadium "certainly leads to more resources -- and more opportunity for resources -- and more opportunity to monetize investments in the squad that we didn't have before." DC United Chief Revenue Officer Mike Schoenbrun said that half of the new venue's 31 private suites "have been sold." The club will also "control a greater share of concessions" than it does currently at RFK Stadium. Levien: "We'll build that into our internal budgeting numbers and look to invest in players." Goff noted the 20,000-capacity stadium at Buzzard Point is slated to open in June '18, with a ceremonial groundbreaking slated for Feb. 27 (WASHINGTON POST, 2/18).
