Consolation Prize

I guess it's good that DC United is worth $33 million to a group of investors that includes former Duke hoops stars Christian Laettner and Brian Davis. But this part gives me pause:

Davis and Laettner are also part of a group trying to buy the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies' current owner said last month the Davis-Laettner group had until Jan. 15 to come up with the money but added he doubted they would meet that deadline.

Unless the duo are looking to become multi-sport impressarios, this makes the United deal seem like it was a backup plan for getting into ownership if the Grizzlies deal didn't work out. That said, I think this may have been in the works long enough for it to be more than a "Plan B," but I don't know that this ownership group really has soccer in its collective heart. My Spidey-sense might be on the fritz again, though.