NBA Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony is partnering in a new D.C. United-backed soccer stadium project in Baltimore, where he was a high school basketball legend and maintains close ties.
On Thursday, D.C. United CEO and co-owner Jason Levien and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott are holding a joint press conference to announce Anthony joining the project for a planned venue that would host D.C. United’s MLS Next Pro club, a USL Super League women’s team and a second D.C. United youth academy. Carroll Park in the southwest part of Charm City was selected for the stadium ahead of the Baltimore Peninsula site, which was also considered.
“There is a long history of soccer in Baltimore,” Levien said in a phone interview. “Growing our footprint into the Baltimore market is very meaningful for us.”
Levien, who bought D.C. United in 2018 with Stephen Kaplan, said he’s talked to Anthony for a couple of years about joining the Baltimore project. D.C. United is the only MLS team that has exclusive rights in two major cities, Washington and Baltimore, which provides a regional footprint to expand its fanbase and sponsorship portfolio.
The mayor is backing the transfer of the Carroll Park site land to the MLS club, as well as the bill introduced last week in the Maryland Senate to provide financial support. Funding for the project still needs to be finalized, but Levien is confident in a public-private partnership with the mayor’s backing.
A preliminary study found that a 12,000-seat stadium and training ground would cost $238 million. There will also be a housing component with the project, Levien said. If funding is approved, construction is expected to start in 2027.
M&T Bank Stadium, home to the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens, is about two miles from the Carroll Park site. D.C. United moved its March home game against Inter Miami to the Ravens’ home field to take advantage of the demand to see the MLS Cup champions and Lionel Messi. M&T Bank Stadium holds more than three times as many people as Audi Field, where D.C. United normally plays, and the game is tracking toward a sellout. It will be the first MLS match at the NFL stadium.
Anthony retired from the NBA in 2022 after a 19-year career that include 10 NBA All-Star selections, three Olympic gold medals and a scoring title. He made an estimated $425 million from playing salaries and endorsements since he turned pro in 2003, or $570 million adjusted for inflation, which ranks No. 50 all-time among athletes.
D.C. United ranked No. 12 at $750 million in Sportico’s MLS team valuations release this week. The value is up 4% versus 2025 and 150% from the roughly $300 million valuation when Levien’s group bought control of the team.