District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser successfully convinced Ted Leonsis, owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals, to keep the teams in Washington, D.C. The Governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin’s plan to lure the teams to Virginia fell through, leading to an agreement on a $515 million publicly funded arena project to keep the teams in the District through 2050. The new project includes an expansion of the arena complex, the creation of an entertainment district in the surrounding Chinatown neighborhood, and safety and transportation upgrades. Bowser and Leonsis signed a letter of intent for the deal at a joint news conference.
Alexandria, Virginia Mayor Justin Wilson confirmed that negotiations to bring the NHL Capitals and Washington Wizards to northern Virginia have ended. Leonsis expressed relief at the decision to keep the teams in Washington, calling it the right choice for the community and a smart business decision. The Council of the District of Columbia is expected to pass the deal next week. Talks for a new arena in Virginia that would have moved the teams to Alexandria ended, despite the advantage of available land in Virginia. Leonsis hinted at political divisions in Virginia contributing to the plan’s failure.
Governor Youngkin expressed disappointment and frustration at the failed Virginia proposal, blaming Democrats for its demise. Democrats pushed back against Youngkin’s accusations, with House Speaker Don Scott criticizing the Governor’s handling of the proposal. Alexandria also expressed disappointment at the breakdown of negotiations and hinted at potential political influences in the project’s demise. Matt Kelly, CEO of JBG SMITH, a partner in the Alexandria deal, blamed partisan politics for the failed project, highlighting the loss of tax revenue and economic opportunity for Virginia as a result of the collapsed plan.
The Virginia plan, which included the creation of a $2 billion development district in Alexandria, faced opposition from labor unions, residents concerned about traffic, and D.C. officials fearing downtown devastation. Democratic Senator L. Louise Lucas played a significant role in blocking the legislation for the Virginia proposal, citing concerns about the financing structure. She celebrated the demise of the proposal, emphasizing that Virginia had avoided a “Monumental Disaster.” Leonsis shifted his focus to increasing fan engagement at Capital One Arena, emphasizing the large crowds attending various events.
Leonsis and Bowser engaged in regular discussions to keep the teams in Washington, ultimately leading to the decision to retain the Washington Wizards and Capitals in the District. Leonsis expressed his satisfaction with the outcome after signing the agreement with Bowser. The parties involved in the Virginia proposal, including Governor Youngkin and Alexandria officials, expressed disappointment over the failed negotiations. The decision to keep the teams in Washington, D.C., marks a significant development in the ongoing saga of sports team relocation.
