D.C. United’s encounter with the New England Revolution last weekend was a slow burner, a game that only picked up its pace in the dying moments. After United captain Wayne Rooney converted a 90th-minute penalty kick, he sprinted into the goal to retrieve the ball, eager to get play underway and find a potential game-winner. Many United fans likely crept to the edge of their seats in anticipation, eager to see that happen.



What they ended up seeing for the bulk of the seven minutes of stoppage time was instead a red screen, the “technical difficulties” card of FloSports, the club’s broadcast partner. It was the latest in a frustrating series of events for United fans, many of whom pay as much as $8.99 per month to watch their club’s home games. For that fee, fans were promised “an innovative and high-quality viewing experience” with “behind-the-scenes access to the D.C. United club,” according to United’s initial...