Businesses in Washington, D.C. are grappling with a combination of economic challenges, rising crime rates, and a potential relocation of the city's NBA and NHL teams. The impact of crime on businesses is a significant factor contributing to closures, according to the Executive Director of a local organization [b9dc3582]. The organization is collaborating with law enforcement and other agencies to address behavioral and mental health issues, as well as the need for homeless housing. They are also implementing strategies to support local business owners, including profiling businesses to showcase their offerings and working with the police department to highlight the safety of certain areas. Despite the difficulties, the Director emphasizes that positive developments are occurring in the community and urges a shift in perception regarding safety in specific neighborhoods. While some businesses are closing, there are also instances of new businesses opening during the pandemic. Despite the challenges, there are individuals who remain committed to the city and are determined not to give up on it.
The Downtown Holiday Market in Washington, DC, has closed after its 19th year, with vendors reporting great sales and record-breaking days. Many vendors rely on the market for a large portion of their income for the year. The market also benefits nearby restaurants and bars, generating economic activity in the surrounding area. However, the potential move of the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals out of the downtown area to Virginia could impact the market. Despite concerns about crime, the market has implemented security measures to ensure patron safety. Overall, vendors are pleased with the traffic and economic impact of the market.
In a new development, a dispute has arisen over the future location of Washington's NBA and NHL teams [d06cda25]. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser is in a squabble with Monumental Sports and Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis. Leonsis wants to create a new entertainment district in Northern Virginia, but his vision does not align with the feelings of his paying customers. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and state senator L. Louise Lucas are also involved in the dispute, with shots being taken at each other's positions. The Wizards and Capitals are caught in the middle of this messy and acrimonious situation, while both teams are struggling in their respective sports. Moving the teams from downtown Washington to Alexandria would cause lasting harm to the neighborhood and the city's international image. The various jurisdictions involved are digging in against each other, with Bowser threatening litigation and Monumental swinging back with an amendment to the lease that would allow them to move after 2027. The arena plan debate is just beginning, and the situation is becoming increasingly bitter and belligerent [d06cda25].
In other news, the Lerner family, owners of the Washington Nationals, have announced that they are no longer looking to sell the team. Mark Lerner, the franchise's principal owner, stated that the family made the decision to stop looking for bidders 'a while ago.' The family bought the team in 2006 for $450 million and confirmed that they are 'very happy owning the team' and want to focus on winning another championship. In 2022, there were reports that the Lerner family was exploring potential changes in the club's ownership structure, but they have now confirmed that they are not exploring a sale [26b4a793]. The Lerner family had announced in April 2022 that they were exploring a potential sale of the franchise, but they found few interested buyers willing to meet their asking price, which reportedly exceeded $2 billion. After the death of patriarch Theodore Lerner in February 2023, there was little progress towards a sale, leading Mark Lerner to publicly confirm that they have decided to keep ownership of the team. The decision to explore a sale was not unanimous among the family members, and no transaction would have been made unless a buyer met or exceeded their asking price. The Nationals have undergone a rebuild, trading away key players and reducing their payroll. However, Lerner has indicated that the team will begin spending more on free agents once they are in a position to contend again. The future of the team's ownership and potential sale remains uncertain [d69a5e75].
Meanwhile, in San Diego, the NWSL's San Diego Wave has been sold for a league-record $113 million. Billionaire owner Ron Burkle has agreed to sell the team to Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine, founders of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. The deal will see Leichtman and Levine pay $35 million immediately for 35% of the team, with the remaining 65% to be purchased for $78 million after the 2024 season. This total purchase price surpasses the previous record of $63 million for the Portland Thorns. The Wave has performed well, going 21-10-13 across two seasons and winning the NWSL Shield last year. The team also led the NWSL in attendance last season with an average of 20,718 spectators [420c531f].
In the latest NWSL Challenge Cup match, Gotham FC and San Diego Wave FC played to a 2-2 draw. The game is currently in progress, with live updates, stats, and play-by-play coverage available [f20150c1].
In Tacoma, Washington, the Tacoma Defiance, a team in the MLS NEXT Pro league, will host Colorado Rapids 2 in its home opener on Sunday, March 24 at Starfire Stadium. Tacoma Defiance previously defeated Austin FC II in their first match of the season. Colorado Rapids 2 finished atop the Western Conference last season, while Tacoma Defiance finished second. The two teams split the season series last year. After the match, Tacoma Defiance will play against Ventura County FC on Sunday, March 31. The game will be streamed on Apple TV [2e61f185].
Bay FC will host Seattle Reign FC at PayPal Park in San Jose on Sunday night for a 5 p.m. kickoff. The match will be broadcast locally on NBC Sports Bay Area and streamed for free on NWSL-plus. Four key questions ahead of the match are: 1. Will Bay FC continue to show an improved attack? Bay FC has scored four goals in three games and has looked more creative on the attacking end. 2. Can they hold a lead? Bay FC has played well in the first half of games but has lost both matches in the final minutes. 3. What impact will the absence of four players have? Four Bay FC players were away on international duty for the last two weeks, and their absence may lead to changes in the starting lineup. 4. How many fans will show up to PayPal Park? Bay FC sold out their inaugural home game with 18,000 fans, and the team hopes to continue drawing large crowds. Tickets were still available as of Saturday for as low as $13 for standing room only and $17 for reserved seating. The match will also be part of the club's 'Women's Empowerment Night' celebration, with former Facebook CEO Sheryl Sandberg expected to attend. [3fa2a556].
FIFA has offered to hold peace talks with the World Leagues Association (WLA) and global players' union FIFPRO to address concerns over a new Club World Cup. The WLA and FIFPRO threatened legal action against FIFA, claiming that the tournament was being imposed without consultation and endangering players' health. FIFA interim secretary general Mattias Grafstrom rejected the claims and highlighted the Premier League's staging of a summer series in the US last year as an example of additional games being added to the football calendar. FIFA is projecting revenue to reach $11 billion in the 2023-2026 cycle, with the expanded 48-team men's World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The Premier League is expected to generate £6.7 billion in revenue from domestic broadcasting agreements alone from 2025. [972610ac]. Player unions and leagues are urging to engage in FIFA's peace talks over congested game schedules. The call comes as a result of concerns over the increasing number of matches and the toll it takes on players' physical and mental health. The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) and the World Leagues Forum (WLF) have jointly called for a dialogue with FIFA to address these issues. The organizations are seeking a collaborative approach to find solutions that prioritize the well-being of players while maintaining the integrity of the game. The congested schedules have become more prominent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches being rescheduled and compressed into shorter timeframes. The player unions and leagues are advocating for a comprehensive review of the calendar and the implementation of measures to protect players from burnout and injuries. They emphasize the need for rest and recovery periods to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sport. The organizations are also calling for improved communication and cooperation between all stakeholders, including clubs, leagues, and international federations, to achieve a balanced and fair schedule. The dialogue between player unions, leagues, and FIFA aims to find common ground and develop a framework that addresses the concerns of all parties involved. [a511b2ef].
Austin FC and Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, have been selected to host the MLS All-Star Game in 2025. The announcement was made by MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Mayor Kirk Watson at Antone's in Austin. The All-Star Game will feature the best players from Major League Soccer facing off against an international squad. Austin FC, ranked as the 21st most valuable soccer franchise in the world at $800 million, is expected to benefit from the economic activity generated by the event. Previous All-Star Games have brought in up to $20 million to the host city. The MLS has seen a surge in viewership, with Apple's $2.5 billion deal to exclusively stream MLS games and reports of major matches attracting over a million viewers each week. Austin FC is currently in 8th place in the Western Conference with a record of 4-4-4. The team will play against the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City at Q2 Stadium this week [fe77cb00].