FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Great news for DC United!! Their soccer novice, overbearing and hands on principle owner; billionaire real estate developer, Victor MacFarlane has decided he has had enough of MLS and sold his ownership stake in United to partner, Will Chang. This announcement comes just weeks after United's latest attempt to develop a soccer specific stadium in PG County unexpectedly collapsed. The result leaves Chang with a 98% share of the D.C. United ownership group.

The obvious concern of United's followers is how this transition from MacFarlane to Chang will impact the team's chances of getting a new soccer stadium in the Washington D.C. area.

MacFarlane's sole interest in D.C. United was primarily that of a real estate baron, believing that he could use a new soccer stadium as the centerpiece for major ancillary development that would be a huge profit maker for his personal real estate development firm. Due to his aggressive business persona he unfortunately developed a dubious level of personal animosity with charismatic DC Mayor, Adrian Fenty and was not able to get a deal in DC. He then brokered what looked to be a surefire stadium deal in nearby PG county Maryland but that collapsed at the last minute as well after much fanfare was made of its impending approval.

Sounds like the new primary owner, Victor Chang, is the complete opposite of MacFarlane. He is also currently part owner of Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants so United now has someone with real professional sports ownership experience to directly rely on. Chang has made it known that he wants to continue the quest to get a stadium built without the need for that ancillary development (which was a non negotiable condition with MacFarlane) according to interviews. He also has no known or recorded beefs with Mayor Fenty. If Chang's stated vision is true, than it could possibly reopen stadium negotiations with DC that were impossible under MacFarlane's demands.

MacFarlane stated that he was selling his interest in United to focus on his successful real estate buisness back in California. There is speculation that frustration of not getting his way and not being able to add to his personal business ventures and capital and invade the DC real estate market are the real reasons that MacFarlane suddenly and unceremoniously stepped away. Even though MacFarlane constantly claimed of being a huge soccer fan, it is no secret that he had no prior interest or general knowledge of professional soccer until he purchased United. He had previously alluded that his purchase of the club was in part to shift his personal business ventures from the West coast to the East coast and hopefully get his foot in the door of the lucrative DC area real estate market.

 I had predicted that if MacFarlane lost interest in the team or did not fulfill his personal goals of using the team to enhance his real estate firm that he would bolt. That is what actually happened and should show all United fans that his heart was NEVER into building a championship MLS team but using United to pimp his real estate ventures and further line his pockets. As a true DC United fan I say good riddance! United needs ownership who wants to be in the business of professional soccer. Their only goals should be continually building a franchise that is capable of hoisting trophies not mortgages and deeds!!