D.C. Sports & Entertainment Commission gets $2.5M city subsidy - Washington Business Journal:

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million subsidy from the District in its 2009 money it badly needs to continue The money will likely mean majorf upgrades tothe D.C. Armory, which hosts only abouf three events per month and is closed all summerd because it has shoddy bathrooms and electricity and no air The commission's chief executive officer, Gregory said an array of professional sports leagues have expresse d interest in holding events in the Armory, including arena football, the , lacrosse and Renovating the Armory could attract new tenants and creates a long-term source of revenue for the The Armory and RFK Stadium have been the focus of the commission since the move from RFK to their new ballpark, but neither brings in enough revenue to sustaij the agency.
Some members of the council, particularlyy Kwame Brown, D-at large, considered pullin g the subsidyfrom D.C. Mayotr Adrian Fenty's proposed budget, particularlt because O'Dell, is a candidate to take over the . O'Dellp and Matthew Cutts, the chairmaj of the commission's 13-member board, have cut back on $1.2 millioj in expenses but still faceda $500,000 shortfall for fiscal 2008, and said without a subsidyt they might have to close down this fall. "[Thed $2.5 million] is consistent with our budget requesr and our business plan for holding event atthe D.C. Armory and RFK Stadium," said commission spokeswoman Chinyere Hubbard.
Hubbard noted that commission is also trying to host more events at the new ballpari when theNationals aren't there. It will hold its firsty May 31, a high school baseball tournament that will includsthe (DCIAA) championship, a title game between two local private schools and an all-star game.