How determined is D.C. United to prove that it is serious about potentially relocating to Baltimore?

Soccer fans in the Baltimore area have begun receiving an email survey from Major League Soccer gauging their interest in a team in their city.

“We are busy looking ahead to the future of our league,” MLS chief marketing officer Russ Findlay wrote in the e-mail. “As a part of this planning, we are conducting research in Baltimore to help determine the viability of the market as a potential future home of an MLS club.”

The survey asks how likely fans would be to support a rebranded D.C. United and how many matches they would attend in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore, a location United remains steadfast is an option, though a survey by itself isn’t exactly a precursor to an actual move. It’s difficult to tell if it could even affect D.C. United’s plans to renegotiate its RFK Stadium lease.

Most interestingly, the survey ends without any questions about Baltimore or relocation if the responder says they are a D.C. United season ticket holder. Apparently, MLS and D.C. United already know what that group thinks.

A strong response would bolster United’s case to make any move away from its current holding pattern. Back in January, a feasibility study published by the Maryland Stadium Authority in December 2010 didn’t exactly overwhelm, saying a stadium would generate between 780 and 940 jobs and up to $6.4 million in tax revenues – based on an assumption of simultaneous development around the stadium. It also cited a survey that said a vast majority of Baltimore businesses were not likely to purchase suites or club seats.

The state of Maryland, city of Baltimore and Maryland Stadium Authority have approached United about moving into a proposed venue in Westport, which is near Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. The plan is still in the very early stages.

However, “we’ve been saying this could happen,” United President Kevin Payne told the Insider. “This isn’t a game. This is serious. This isn’t a bluff. Part of it is trying to understand what that means for our business.

“From our point of view, it’s just due diligence. You have to understand your options. We’re trying to understand the depth of interest in Baltimore.”

United has spent all 16 MLS seasons in Washington but club officials have said playing at 50-year-old RFK is not economically viable. Talks with D.C. officials have shown no signs of progress.

Thanks to our reader we have the full email and survey below:
Date: Tue, Nov 1, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Subject: MLS Soccer in Baltimore

Sincerely,
Russ Findlay
Chief Marketing Officer
Major League Soccer

Here are the key questions from the survey:

Assume that a new MLS team were to begin playing in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore. How likely would you be to follow this team?
Definitely would follow
Probably would follow
May or may not follow
Probably would not follow
Definitely would not follow

How many games of the new MLS team would you expect to attend in its first season provided that it played in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore?
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five or more

If an existing MLS team were to relocate to Baltimore and begin playing in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore, how likely would you be to follow the team?
Definitely would follow
Probably would follow
May or may not follow
Probably would not follow
Definitely would not follow

How many games of the relocated MLS team would you attend in a season provided the team began playing its games in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore?
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five or more

If you could influence any of the following MLS teams to relocate to Baltimore, which team would you rather have move to Baltimore?
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
FC Dallas
New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union
No preference

Assume that D.C. United were to relocate to Baltimore, rebrand and begin playing in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore. How likely would you be to follow the team?
Definitely would follow
Probably would follow
May or may not follow
Probably would not follow
Definitely would not follow

How many games of the relocated, rebranded D.C. United team would you expect to attend in its first season provided that it played in a new, soccer-specific stadium in the Westport area of Baltimore?
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five or more

Source: washingtonexaminer.com

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