The NHL's Washington Capitals and NBA's Washington Wizards may relocate to Virginia from their Washington home.
Per a $2 billion proposal, the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards may relocate to a new arena at the Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Virginia by 2028.
The new entertainment district's parent company, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, announced the proposal in a Wednesday statement.
“We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences while continuously evolving our teams, deepening community ties, and solidifying our role as leaders at the forefront of sports and technology,” said Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis.
“The opportunity to expand to this 70-acre site in Virginia, neighboring industry-leading innovators, and a great academic partner, would enable us to further our creativity and achieve next-generation, leading work – all while keeping our fans and the community at the forefront of everything we do,” he added.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin praised the proposal as a plan to "unleash a brighter, more extraordinary future."
“This is the most visionary sports and entertainment development in the world, bringing together entertainment, sports, and technology in the most advanced innovation corridor in the United States: a once-in-a-generation and historic development for the Commonwealth, sports fans, and all Virginians,” Youngkin said. “The Commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this is monumental.”
D.C. officials attempted to counter the proposal late Tuesday and announced legislation to finance $500 million towards an $800 million renovation of the Capital One Arena, which currently hosts the Capitals and Wizards.
“Downtown DC is the District’s economic engine that provides revenue resources to support important programs in the city. Mr. Leonsis and Monumental Sports have been critical partners in keeping our downtown thriving, especially after the pandemic. The modernization of the Capital One Arena will be an invaluable investment for continued success and our future prosperity,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in a statement.
“This proposal represents our best and final offer and is the next step in partnering with Monumental Sports to breathe new life and vibrancy into the neighborhood and to keep the Washington Wizards and the Washington Capitals where they belong – in Washington, DC,” she continued.
Later Wednesday, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser panned the proposal during a press conference.
"We are very committed that Washington D.C. teams should play in Washington D.C.," Bowser reiterated.
"National Landing Wizards doesn't quite have the same ring," she added.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment also announced the "potential opportunity" for the WNBA'a Washington Mystics to relocate to the Capital One Arena.
