Oct 6, 2009 10:07 pm US/Eastern
Dixon Makes Pitch For Soccer Stadium In Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP) ―
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Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
D.C. United is Washington's major league soccer team, but Mayor Sheila Dixon wants the stadium to be in Baltimore.
Kai Jackson explains why the mayor thinks this is such a good idea.
Mayor Dixon has asked the Maryland Stadium Authority for a feasibility study that would check the economics and practicality of building a soccer stadium in Baltimore for D.C. United. The team has said it is looking for a new place to play.
Dixon's letter was dated Sept. 30 and the stadium authority received it on Monday.
Major league soccer teams Chelsea of England and Milan of Italy went head to head at Ravens Stadium this summer. That contest may have opened doors and ideas for something even bigger.
"The Chelsea/Milan soccer match, which was very successful here in the city, basically started the ball rolling," said Scott Peterson, Dixon's spokesperson.
Dixon wants the agency to study the potential benefits of building a stadium that would be United's permanent home and have concerts, lacrosse and other events. The letter says the Westport Waterfront project meets those standards.
"It's a good idea. We have a fan base for soccer down here. You know the Baltimore Blast is like the Yankees of soccer," said Omar Smith.
A Baltimore economist says a new stadium would generate jobs and revenue.
"Over the course of a season, the economic activity would range from $30-$80 million in new monies coming into the city," said economist Darius Irani.
A spokesman for D.C. United said club president Kevin Payne is out of the country.
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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