It’s happening, folks. The Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals might not be based in Washington for long.
Earlier today, Ted Leonsis announced that Monumental Sports — the company that owns both teams — is planning on moving its operations across the Potomac River into Virginia. The sports teams would be coming along for the ride, too.
The state has prepared a $2 billion proposal to move Monumental and its assets into Arlington. Things seem to be moving forward with the plan, but it’s not quite over yet. There are still a few hurdles for the project to clear.
Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. has made a counteroffer to the team that may yet still come into play.
There are a lot of moving parts to keep up with here. Don’t worry about it, though — we’ve got you. Here’s everything you need to know about the proposed move.
Wait, the Wizards and Capitals are moving?
Yes. Well, maybe. Again, Ted Leonsis and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin held an event Wednesday announcing what they’re calling a 70-acre “entertainment district” in Potomac Yard of Alexandria, Virginia.
Here’s what it’d look like.
Stadium renderings are undefeated. Looks pretty cool. pic.twitter.com/Rw0dIciyNE
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) December 13, 2023
The area would have a new arena and practice facility for the Wizards and Capitals. It’d also come with a residential development area and a Virginia Tech campus annex.
The two sides are planning on the completion of the project by 2028. So the Wizards and Capitals should have a new building in the next five years.
Why are the teams moving?
Ted Leonsis has been pushing to renovate Capital One Arena where the two teams currently play for years.
The problem has been the money — not whether the cash was available, but rather where it’s coming from. Leonsis has been pushing the Washington, D.C. city government to help fund a renovation for years now. Most recently Leonsis asked for the city to pay for $600 million of an $800 million renovation, per The Washington Post.
“Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Wizards, Capitals and Mystics, has asked D.C. for $600 million of public funding for a major renovation of Capital One Arena, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.
The funding would make up the bulk of an $800 million renovation plan Monumental has outlined to the city, according to the two people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations. The remaining $200 million would be covered by Monumental, which is owned by founder and chief executive Ted Leonsis.”
The city has always refused to pay. Leonsis went out and found another offer from another state. It seems he’s taking it.
So the Virginia move is a done deal?
Not quite. The deal is still subject to approval by Virginia’s General Assembly. It will have to vote on the plan to approve it, according to a Monumental Sports press release.
The Caps & Wizards are moving to Alexandria. Youngkin is set to make the announcement in a few mins alongside Ted Leonsis.
“Subject to legislative approval by the Virginia General Assembly, the Entertainment District will break ground in 2025 and open in late 2028.” @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/deu62dUHL7— Rafael Sánchez-Cruz (@rafasanchezcruz) December 13, 2023
Meanwhile, some residents are already protesting the proposed move.
I’m here talking to local residents protesting outside a press conference that just concluded at the proposed site Monumental sports’ new development in partnership with the state of Virginia and the city of Alexandria. (1/2) @AlexTimesNews @washingtonpost @PostSports pic.twitter.com/iikxEWWoZW
— Ryan Hopper (@ryan_hopper31) December 13, 2023
Wait, people are upset about this?
It’s a mixed bag, honestly. There are some folks who are here and supportive of the move.
Yeah DC can't offer this https://t.co/YeWsQvWP1k
— Domo (@Domo8186) December 13, 2023
Everyone said the Braves moving to Cobb Co. would be a miserable failure, and now it’s become the model of modern team ownership. But it starts with the fan experience. Capital One Arena has a horrible one…just like Turner Field did before it. Sorry, but you’re not gonna fix… https://t.co/8vzRYhxnTL
— J.W. Cannon (@cannonjw) December 13, 2023
Icl. Looks 🔥 https://t.co/GYCVecNcEP
— riley (@rileyricharrds) December 13, 2023
Others aren’t quite vibing with this decision.
There have been no attempts to foster a meaningful relationship between the die hard basketball dc native and the Washington Wizards. A city that has a deep basketball history is so disinterested in the hometown team because it’s been mediocre forever. https://t.co/oOQjCBowjo
— free (@thefreejacob) December 13, 2023
Besides the practice facility, doesn’t all this exist already at Gallery Place? https://t.co/VlpIuDfkL0
— Stanford Fraser (@Stanfordfraser) December 13, 2023
I’m a free agent fan https://t.co/EsiiD6hxrE
— Man, E (@Man__E23) December 13, 2023
Leonsis is abandoning D.C. right now when it desperately needs a big win. That’s what makes this move so tough for some people.
So what happens to Capital One Arena?
Once this move happens —whenever it happens — Monumental Sports says the Washington Mystics will move back into Capital One Arena from where they’re currently located at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in D.C.
It's done, folks. pic.twitter.com/fuQwOAoDFU
— Michael Sykes, II (@MikeDSykes) December 13, 2023
So, between concerts, Georgetown games and Mystics games, the arena wouldn’t be completely abandoned. And the G League’s Capital City GoGo team would continue to play at ESA in D.C.
Alright, here's the real question: Will the teams have to rebrand?
That’s a great question that nobody knows the answer to at this point. It certainly feels possible considering the team will be moving to Virginia.
But if the teams kept their monikers as the Washington Wizards and Capitals, it wouldn’t be too far out of the norm of what we see today. The New York Giants and Jets play in MetLife stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Washington Commanders play in Landover, Maryland. The Washington Wizards playing in Alexandria would be weird, but not out of the norm.
What is D.C. going to do?
This is the sad part about a potential move. Sports in Washington, D.C. would be taking a big hit from this.
The only teams left playing in the city would be the D.C. United of the MLS, the Mystics (for now) of the WNBA, the Spirit of the NWSL and the Nationals of Major League Baseball.
The city would be losing two major professional sports franchises. It’s desperate to keep the Wizards and Capitals where they’re currently at. Mayor Murel Bowser and the city council made another final offer to Leonsis and Monumental, offering to pay for $500 million of the aforementioned $800 million renovation.
.@MayorBowser's office announces legislation with the backing of the full D.C. Council to "support a complete renovation and modernization of the Capital One Arena"
Includes $500 million for renovations over three-year period and a ground lease extension until the end of 2052. pic.twitter.com/8zrOnCFSSq
— Michael Brice-Saddler (@TheArtist_MBS) December 13, 2023
Whether the offer works out remains to be seen. What’s certain is that either way, Ted Leonsis has his wish — government backing for either a new or renovated operating space for his sports teams.
