Michael Neibauer, The Examiner
2008-03-13 08:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

D.C. United’s first home game of 2008 is less than a week away, but the team has still not reached a new deal with the District to play its season at RFK Stadium.

“Our hope is to get something finalized before the first game,” said Gregory O’Dell, D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission chief executive officer. “We recognize they are the primary tenant and we want to treat them accordingly.”

The team is scheduled to host the Harbour View Football Club on Tuesday.

United President Kevin Payne said Wednesday that he is “quite confident the agreement we arrive at will be inclusive of every game this year.” But even if a new deal isn’t reached by next week, he said, the team will continue playing at RFK on a month-to-month basis.

The relationship between United and the District has strained in recent months, which may have slowed talks. Team owner Victor MacFarlane is angling for a new stadium in Southeast, an idea not yet embraced by Mayor Adrian Fenty.

“We have to make a decision based on what’s best for the business of D.C. United, and that involves looking at how long it takes to get into a stadium, and what our economic terms are in the interim,” Payne said.

The commission has asked that United pay up to $200,000 more this year to cover the costs of grounds equipment and waste removal, while the two would share advertising and sponsorship revenues that were previously controlled by the Washington Nationals. The team, meanwhile, has offered to pay a monthly lump sum that would cover the city’s expenses and expected revenues.