There’s just something about a new stadium that provokes feelings of pride, of awe, and, most important to elected city officials, of appreciation. The final product, often architecturally stunning, serves as a long-standing reminder to residents and visitors alike of what one person — a mayor, a member of a city council or Congress — fought for, regardless of the cost or the casualties. Those millions of dollars of cement and steel become a legacy, one that any politician worth their weight dreams of having attached to their name.

Both New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams have attempted to establish this legacy for themselves — Williams finally succeeded late last year and Bloomberg may very well claim success this week. Both faced substantial political challenges to their plans, yet the lure of a new stadium serving as a foundation for economic revival and development overwhelmed even the most ardent foes. Two distinct cities, two distinct mayors, two distinct stadiums, two legacies in the making. What are the chances?