Say Bye Bye to the Nationals.
DC really does not want a team.
Maybe. I think this is merely a gambit to see if MLB will renegotiate the agreement. The city has until Dec. 31 to pass an ordinance consistent with the agreement. They can still do that. I don't think that this one, with the 50% private financing, was passed on December 14th for no reason.
I think they think they are putting pressure on baseball, and if baseball shows that they are willing to walk, then you'll see a new ordinance in the next 16 days.
Tactically, it is a smart move for the city, with no down side. They aren't necessarily killing the deal, and they are handing the MLB a bit of a PR mess. They probably think baseball won't pull out at this late date because they will have PR problems and a backlash. Thus, they think they have some leverage, and may be able to get something back from the MLB. I think, however, that baseball will stand firm on this one. If, in the end, MLB does stand firm, they just go back and pass another ordinance.