Can a Stadium Be Torn Down Before it is Built? In a stunning development, the DC Council approved legislation yesterday that requires private financing to cover half of the cost of a new baseball stadium. This is an enormous change from the original deal the city had with Major League Baseball, which required that the new stadium be publicly funded.



Many are happy, seeing this as a key strike in the drive against publicly-financed stadiums. Others are dismayed that this decision may have ended baseball in the nation's capital before it could even begin.



Legally, what does this development mean? Baseball agreed to move the Expos (now the Nationals) to Washington if the city agreed approve a plan to build a new, publicly-financed stadium by December 31. With last night's vote, it appears that the city will not meet its part of the agreement. This most likely means that baseball could pull up and move out of Washington anytime after January 1.



But as much as baseball might want to do this to make a point, it is simply not realistic. The team has already moved its offices to Washington; a logo and name have been picked; uniforms have been designed; season tickets (16,000) have been sold; the schedule is being made with the idea that there will be a team in Washington, D.C. So where does this leave the league? It may mean, as one article suggests, that DC will be a one-year stopover for the team on the way to another city. Perhaps northern New Jersey? Perhaps Las Vegas? The bidding war may have begun anew.



Does baseball have any legal standing to sue? It depends on how the court views the initial agreement. Just based on the literal terms I have seen, the city did not breach the agreement; it just did not fulfill its obligation, and thus, baseball has the option to pull out. Baseball will clearly be upset, though, based on the incredible amount of money it has spent on this move and may try to exhaust any and all legal options.



In any case, it seems that this may debate may have a serious impact on politics in the District. The mayor stormed about of the meeting, incredulous at what was taking place. And the debate within the council was also divisive. Baseball in DC is not completely dead, but it remains to be seen how much life it has left.

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