Danita Johnson Makes Audi Field a Home for Many Teams

Danita Johnson leads business operations for D.C. United and Audi Field. She believes sports connect every part of life. When she started, the 20,000-seat stadium mostly hosted one soccer team. She saw empty dates and thought about new uses. Today the Washington Spirit, the D.C. Defenders, and D.C. Power FC all play there. She wants the building to stay busy every day of the year.

Her father was in the Army. Her family moved to many different places. No matter where they lived, she found community through sports. Basketball came first. She suited up for middle school and high school teams. Her first sports job was in the NBA G League. She spent years there. Then she joined the WNBA's Tulsa Shock. Later she became president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Sparks.

The WNBA taught her how to build interest when almost no one was watching. She learned to spread a message and build ties one person at a time. Patience was key. Fans need to feel loyal to the team and the organization. A star player is not enough by itself. People must develop a deep attachment to the club and the league. That kind of bond takes time and real camaraderie.

Moving to D.C. United was one of her hardest career choices. She still loved women's sports and basketball. Yet she saw parallels between the WNBA and MLS. Both leagues offered room to grow. She wanted to bring her basketball lessons into soccer. She also liked the idea of running a whole stadium. National and international deals looked exciting too.

Johnson lives in a mindset of constant innovation. She asks how to make a venue useful for 365 days. Hosting multiple sports helps fill the schedule. It also draws different kinds of fans. Her goal is to keep Audi Field active and meaningful for the whole community.