D.C. United Introduces New Owners: 'We See A Pathway' To A New Stadium

Erick Thohir and Jason Levien were introduced as D.C. United's new managing partners at a press conference Tuesday afternoon, and spent most of the 30-minute long availability expressing their confidence in securing a new soccer-specific stadium for the MLS club.

"We see a pathway and know we have to use a machete to get there," said Levien, a graduate of Georgetown University who is the founder of sports and media investment firm LSRI and a minority owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, as is Thohir. "We know there are hurdles along the way and excited and energized to take them on."

"We are excited to get out of [RFK Stadium] and excited for a new home and a great new home," Levien said in response to another question about the stadium. When asked when he would begin discussions about a new stadium with city authorities, Levien looked at his watch and said "the ball starts rolling in about 15 minutes."

It is believed that United are looking to build a new stadium at Buzzard Point in Southwest Washington, with current plans calling for the city to chip in the cost of land acquisition and infrastructure.

Will Chang, formerly the sole investor in United, will continue to hold a stake in the club, with Levien joking that Chang would be the club's "grandfather" and Thohir, co-founder of the sports and entertainment holding company Mahaka Group, would be its "rich uncle."

With Thohir and Chang based in Indonesia and San Francisco, respectively, it is apparent that Levien will be the face of the ownership in D.C. Indeed, Chang closed the press conference by saying that he and Levien would greet fans who attend D.C. United's friendly with Paris Saint-Germain at RFK Stadium July 28.

For more on D.C. United, visit Black And Red United.

LIVE VIDEO: D.C. United Introduces New Ownership Partners

D.C. United will introduce two new members of the club's ownership group at a press conference at the W Hotel in downtown Washington D.C. The new investors are Erick Thohir and Jason Levien, who are also minority owners of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA.

The two will be introduced by current D.C. United owner Will Chang, who is also a part owner of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. Chang has been United's lone backer since 2009.

It is expected that Chang will retain a stake in the Black-And-Red, but Thohir is believed to be the team's new majority investor. According to Steven Goff of The Washington Post, Thohir and United have been in negotiations since at least March of this year.

United officials have expressed the hope that the new ownership would stabilize the club's finances and enable them to continue lobbying for a new soccer-specific stadium in the Buzzards Point area of the city.

Live video of the press conference is available below, courtesy of CSN Washington

For more on D.C. United, visit Black And Red United.

D.C. United To Announce New Ownership At Tuesday Press Conference

D.C. United has scheduled a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the W Hotel in Washington to "introduce new members of the D.C. United ownership group," with current owner Will Chang in attendance. It's expected that United will announce the the majority sale of the team to current Philadelphia 76ers minority owners Erick Thohir and Jason Levie.

It's expected that Chang will stay on as a part owner of the team, but that Thohir and Levie will be the majority co-owners of the club. It's also expected that Thohir and Levie will aggressively pursue a new soccer-specific stadium for United, who currently play home games at RFK Stadium, the former home of the NFL's Washington Redskins. Several MLS franchises have moved to new facilities designed specifically for soccer. United served as the visiting opponent for the opening of the Houston Dynamo's new BBVA Compass Stadium in May.

For more on D.C. United, visit Black And Red United.

76ers Minority Owners To Purchase D.C. United, According To Report

The new co-owners of the D.C. United will come from a different sport as Erick Thohir and Jason Levien, both minority owners of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, have reportedly come to an agreement to become the majority owners of D.C. United.

Citing sources, ESPN's Marc Stein reports the agreement will keep longtime United owner Will Chang as a partner, but will make Thohir and Levien the co-owners with the majority stake in the team.

Thohir, an Indonesian businessman, became the first Asian owner in NBA history when he purchased a portion of the 76ers. Levien is a former NBA player agent before working in the front office for the Sacramento Kings.

Thohir and Levien are reportedly making a new stadium for D.C. United their top priority as new owners. Since their inception in 1996, the team has played in Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, the former home of the Washington Redskins of the NFL, but are now looking for a soccer-specific stadium.

For more on D.C. United, visit Black And Red United.

Indonesian Businessman Close To Purchasing D.C. United Majority Stake, According To Report

Erick Thohir, an Indonesian businessman who also owns a share of the Philadelphia 76ers, is close to purchasing a majority stake in D.C. United, according to The Washington Post.