Winning Badly--DC and The DC United Stadium Deal

When you win, there's no need to rub the loser's face in it.  You won after all.

Apparently, the District Government  never learned that lesson.  Instead, they pulled a proverbial Christian Laettner.  Scoring the win, and still stomping the competition in the face.

The back story:  DC United has been trying to get a new stadium built in DC for a long time.  In 2007 it came close to a deal with former Mayor Adrian Fenty only to see it fall apart.  Seven years later the team was back at the negotiating table with Mayor Vincent Gray, and in the waning days of his administration, the team struck a deal with the city.  Unfortunately, Gray's successor (Muriel Bowser) was slow to put it in motion.  Although Bowser supported the deal, six months into her mayorship she still hadn't acquired a contested parcel of land necessary for construction to begin.     

After little progress with Bowser's administration, it's no wonder DC United started to question the sincerity of the District's support for the stadium.  The new mayor's promises weren't matched by actions.

So, in swoops Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe.  Ever the salesman, he pitched a location in Loudon County for the team.  Then, word of the meetings between team officials and Virginia officials leaked to the press.

So, how did the District react?  In front of the cameras and in interviews with the press they were blase.  Behind the scene, someone clearly lit a fire under Bowser's well-tailored pant-suit. 

A few days later, on June 9th, the District held a news conference to announce it had 'sealed' the deal.  Leaving aside the obvious question--wasn't the deal already 'sealed'?--how did the city comport itself during the announcement?

With unwarranted (and slightly wacky) braggadocio.  

According to Phil Mendelson, the chairman of the city council, the deal was a win because the proposed site in DC didn't look like a cornfield.  Fortunately, council member Jack Evans clarified for people wondering what corn had to do with soccer by pointing to the DC blueprints on a nearby easel--"it certainly doesn't look like Loudoun County."

Not sure when Loudoun County started growing corn--isn't that where all the rich people and their horses live?--or when it became a mild invective. 

Full disclosure--I would also prefer the new stadium be in DC rather than Loudoun.  However...the proper reaction from the city was contrition not chest-pounding.  DC United fans have been waiting a long time for their stadium--a lot longer than the city's baseball fans waited for theirs.  And, the deal still isn't done.  Bowser promised to have the land parcel secured by September, and I hope she manages it.  But, it ain't time to stick a fork in it just yet. 

Vamos United wherever you land!