Ballpark financing issue may kill deal
Here we are back where we were five years ago — a city that cannot do what it says it’s going to do. I’m saddened that we can go so far in five years and step back so far in five minutes.
- Mayor Anthony A. Williams
With all of the problems that Washington, DC has to deal with on the local level, it’s good to know that the City Council recognizes their priorities. Thankfully, lining the pockets of the Lords of Baseball is not among those priorities. Personally, I applaud the Council for refusing to bear the complete financial burden of financing the latest jock worship cathedral. Yes, DC may WANT a baseball team, but it shouldn’t have to stand by while it’s pockets are picked to finance a new stadium.
NEW YORK — Washington’s new baseball team shut down business and promotional operations indefinitely Wednesday as its move to the nation’s capital teetered on the brink of collapse.
The decision by Major League Baseball followed the District of Columbia Council’s decision Tuesday night to require private financing for at least half the cost of building a new stadium. The September agreement to move the Montreal Expos to Washington called for a ballpark fully financed by government money….
A previously scheduled news conference to unveil new uniforms was called off and fans who bought tickets to watch the renamed Nationals next season at RFK Stadium can get refunds, said Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer.
Baseball will not resume talks with other cities until after Dec. 31, the deadline in the agreement for Washington to put a ballpark financing law in place.
“In the meantime, the club’s baseball operations will proceed, but its business and promotional activities will cease until further notice,” DuPuy said.
He did not address where the team would play its 2005 home schedule if the deal with Washington falls through. It remains unclear whether baseball would move the franchise to RFK Stadium on a temporary basis, remain at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium or go to another city.
Now Major League Baseball, perhaps the most ineptly run of professional sports, has stumbled yet again. To say that MLB is left with egg on it’s face would be something of an understatement (Is that on omelette on your face, or are you just glad to see me??) To say that MLB deserves it would not be.
MLB marched into Washington assuming that the locals were so desperate for a team that they would throw money at the owners in order to build a brand new stadium for their team. Sure, one could argue that baseball belongs in DC, but at what cost?
Let’s watch and enjoy while the maroons who run MLB try to squirm their way out of this one, shall we? It ought to prove entertaining. Where now for the team with no city to call home?
I wonder how much I can sell that Washington Nationals cap for on eBay??
