Rendering by Populous
D.C. United announced that it has signed a deal with Audi of America to become the soccer team’s naming partner. And thus the new stadium at Buzzard Point will be called Audi Field.
“We are thrilled to partner with such an incredible brand that is not only recognized in North America, but throughout the world,” Jason Levien, United’s managing general partner, says in a release. “Audi has transcended the automobile industry and fully embraced the culture of soccer, especially in MLS. We couldn’t think of a better partner to name our stadium and we look forward to forging extraordinary memories for years to come at Audi Field.”
The German automaker, which operates its U.S. headquarters in Herndon, became Major League Soccer’s official automotive partner in 2015. Loren Angelo, the company’s vice president of marketing, says “we are excited to work with D.C. United and to continue our commitment to soccer in America as well as here in our own backyard.”
While terms of the deal haven’t been disclosed, The Washington Post reports that the contract is one of the largest in the MLS, where teams typically collect a few million dollars annually from deals that range from 10 to 20 years. Sources tell The Post that the United-Audi deal is no less than 12 years.
The city officially gave the team the Southwest property last fall, following years of dealmaking that had the team’s existence in the city on the line. The team will face a final hearing with D.C. Zoning Commission on Thursday, and if the five-member panel grants approval, officials will be able to apply for building permits and start construction in the coming weeks, according to The Post.
Team officials expect to move into Audi Field next summer. The stadium will have a capacity of 20,000 people, and it will feature 31 luxury suites, a bike valet, and 500,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and residential space. And in addition to D.C. United games, the stadium will also host other sporting and cultural events, community activities, and concerts.
In the meantime, D.C. United is scheduled to begin its 22nd season next month at RFK Stadium, but the city is already dreaming up lavish plans to repurpose it for recreational use.
