Fellow Screaming Eagles,
Today is the first of a very important seven days for the future of DC United. On March 17th, a week from today, key hearings are being held in Annapolis that could make or break the team’s proposed stadium project in Prince George’s County. And ALL of you – not just fans who reside in Maryland – can help.
I have conversed and e-mailed with many of you, and I am aware that some remain upset that United has struck a deal to move the team to Prince George’s County. Many are even holding out hope that the deal with Maryland will fail and the team will then be free to strike a deal with the District.
While you can never say never about anything, let me be very clear: the likelihood of any future deal with the District is as remote as the Red Bull New York trophy case is bare. Staying at RFK is not an option, because it is not fair to ask our ownership to keep the team there and accept that they will lose millions of dollars each year. As I mentioned in my last e-mail to all of you, the team tried for years to strike a deal for a needed new facility in its first choice – the District – and none of the District’s elected officials showed any willingness to take the lead and make a new stadium happen.
The team, bluntly, is going where it is wanted. And if the deal with Maryland fails, my opinion is that it is far more likely than not that the team’s next move won’t be back to the District.
Thus, the time for action is now, and DC United has created an easy way for you to let legislators in Annapolis know that you support the stadium plan. Using the form at https://secure.dcunited.com/stadium, you can create and send an original e-mail to every member of Maryland’s House Budget Committee and Senate Budget & Taxation Committee.
If you live in Maryland, make sure that your e-mail indicates that you are a Maryland resident and support DC United’s plan for a stadium in Prince George’s County. If you are a constituent of any of the listed officials, that’s even better – make sure you mention it.
If you live anywhere else – DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, ANYWHERE – write anyway. Let them know that a DC United stadium in Prince George’s County will bring you to Maryland regularly, and that you will spend your money on the bars, restaurants, shops, and hotels in the area around the stadium. If you would consider moving to Prince George’s County to live near the stadium – and I know that at least a few of you would – let them know that too.
The team needs us to get involved now more than ever. Please join me this week by sending an e-mail to these elected officials and making it clear just how much support DC United has. Again, that link is https://secure.dcunited.com/stadium. Thank you.
-Paul
P.S. If you want to make phone calls, mail letters, or send faxes as well as send e-mails, e-mail me at paul AT screaming-eagles.com. We have a list with full contact information for all the key officials.
