Key Takeaways
- Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott endorsed DC United’s proposal to build a 12,000-seat soccer stadium and academy at the city-owned Carroll Park Golf Course site
- State legislation introduced Tuesday would authorize the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $216.6 million in bonds, with debt service paid from state sports wagering revenue
- The total project cost exceeds $300 million, with DC United contributing approximately $100 million, according to co-owner Jason Levien
- Former NBA player and Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony is investing in the project and will partner on a potential USL Super League women’s team
- The stadium would be expandable to 25,000 seats and could serve as Baltimore’s first soccer-specific venue
State Legislation Targets Sports Wagering Revenue for Financing
State Delegate Mark Edelson introduced legislation Tuesday that would authorize the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $216.6 million in bonds to finance acquisition and construction of the proposed stadium. The financing structure would rely on state sports wagering revenue to cover debt service payments.
DC United co-owner Jason Levien told Sports Business Journal the total project cost, including launching the academy and professional teams, would exceed $300 million. The club’s direct contribution would be approximately $100 million.
The 80-acre site at Carroll Park Golf Course could potentially anchor a mixed-use development. The venue would be located about two miles west of Baltimore’s entertainment district, home to M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards.
Carmelo Anthony Joins as Investor and Women’s Team Partner
Former NBA player and Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony is investing in the project and will serve as an active partner in a potential USL Super League women’s team. Anthony previously owned Puerto Rico FC in the now-defunct North American Soccer League.
DC United would not have a stake in the Super League team, as the club is already a co-owner of the league’s DC Power franchise, which plays at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
The stadium would house an MLS Next Pro team affiliated with DC United, marking the club’s entry into the development league. DC United is currently one of three MLS clubs without a Next Pro side, along with CF Montreal and San Diego FC.
Academy Infrastructure Creates Youth Development Pipeline
The Baltimore project integrates a full academy facility alongside the professional stadium, positioning the site as a complete player development ecosystem. The academy would serve as a talent identification and training hub, feeding players into DC United’s Next Pro affiliate before potential promotion to the MLS first team.
MLS Next Pro serves as the bridge between youth academy systems and professional rosters, giving players aged 16 to 25 a professional development environment. By housing both the academy and Next Pro team at the same location, DC United creates an integrated pathway that keeps players within the club’s system from youth ranks through professional contracts.
The academy component represents a significant infrastructure investment in youth player development, providing Baltimore-area talent with a direct route to professional soccer without leaving the region.
Multi-Jurisdiction Strategy Expands Regional Talent Footprint
The Baltimore project would give DC United operational presences in Maryland and Virginia in addition to its home stadium, Audi Field, in Washington, D.C. The club maintains a partnership with USL Championship club Loudoun United and operates its training facility and academy at shared facilities in Leesburg, Virginia.
This multi-state footprint creates an expanded talent catchment area across the Mid-Atlantic region. Youth players from Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. would have access to DC United’s development infrastructure without relocating, while the club gains recruitment advantages across three distinct markets.
“We think [Baltimore] is a robust soccer market commercially and also talent wise, athletically,” Levien said. “One of the unique things that we see about DC United is that we’ve got this territory that includes two municipalities exclusively, and there aren’t too many teams I can’t think of that have that opportunity. Baltimore is a different and distinct market from D.C., and it’s a robust one and one we’re really bullish on.”
The stadium design includes expandability to 25,000 seats if needed in the future. Levien expressed hope that Baltimore could one day become an MLS market.
Timeline Targets 2027 Groundbreaking
Levien called the current Maryland legislative session “a critical moment” for getting the funding bill passed, with a goal to break ground in 2027. Once the club is confident the project is moving forward, it could launch its Baltimore-based Next Pro affiliate prior to the stadium’s completion.
Moody Nolan is the prime architect on the stadium and academy project, with Troy Sherrard serving as project executive. Pendulum Studio is the associated architect, with Jonathan O’Neil Cole serving as design principal.
DC United’s proposal has been in development for several years. The club jointly funded a study in March 2024 with the Maryland Stadium Authority, Maryland Department of Commerce and City of Baltimore. The study was completed in May 2025.
Integrated Model Addresses MLS Academy Economics
The Baltimore project reflects the broader economics of MLS youth development, where clubs invest heavily in academy infrastructure to develop homegrown talent and reduce reliance on expensive transfer market acquisitions. By combining stadium, Next Pro team, and academy operations on a single 80-acre site, DC United can maximize facility utilization and create revenue opportunities that help offset academy operating costs.
The facility would be Baltimore’s first soccer-specific stadium, filling a gap in the city’s sports infrastructure while establishing a permanent home for both professional and youth programming. The integrated approach mirrors strategies used by other MLS clubs seeking to maximize their territorial rights and create sustainable talent pipelines that generate both sporting and economic value.
via: SBJ
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