PG United? Not So Fast

Team asks county to help pay for stadium

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. -- D.C. United officials asked Prince George's County to sell at least $47 million in bonds to help build a new soccer stadium.

Under the current deal, only the Maryland Stadium Authority would issue bonds to build the 24,000-seat stadium in the county. The team would pay 25 percent of the estimated $180 million to $195 million cost.

But team owner Victor MacFarlane and Gary McGuigan, the stadium authority's project executive, said Tuesday the deal should be amended to require the county's financial involvement as it is a county initiative pursued by County Executive Jack Johnson.

That request has prompted some skepticism from council members, who are expressing reservations about the county being responsible for paying off the bonds if tax revenue from the stadium falls short of projections. They also are raising concerns about the team's attendance predictions.

Some council members suggested a review of the proposed deal by the county's audit and investigating staff, as well as "concrete numbers" that show the deal is financially sound, the Washington Post reported.

The county pursued the team after negotiations to build a stadium at Poplar Point fell apart.

A House of Delegates committee scheduled a hearing for March 17.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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