Capitals, Wizards reportedly expected to move away from Washington D.C. to Northern Virginia

The Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards have been playing at the Capital One Arena since 1997.

Capitals, Wizards reportedly expected to move away from Washington D.C. to Northern Virginia

Ted Leonsis, owner of Capitals and Wizards (Image via The Washington Post)

As the NHL and the NBA season rolls on, there seems to be some dramatic twists in the path of two Washington teams. The Washington Capitals and the Washington Wizards are now expected to move from their home and relocate to a new place in the distant future.

As per reports from Scott Abraham of 7News, the hockey and basketball teams will soon leave their home and move away from Washington D.C. The two sporting organizations are reported to be on their way to Northern Virginia.

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According to the reports, Ted Leonsis, the owner of both teams, is expected to attend a meeting on Wednesday. He will then announce his plans for the future. This comes after there were no significant updates from Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) to receive funding and renovate the Capital One Arena, the home of the two teams.

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The MSE is now expected to announce the plan of a new stadium in the Potomac Yard Area. If the project is approved, the work on the new 3,000-seater stadium would start by 2025 and could see the two teams play them from 2028. This could mean that the MLB side Washington Nationals could be the only team remaining in the capital by this period.

Mayor Muriel Bowser commits to keep Capitals and Wizards in D.C.

Across the big four leagues in the US, several states and cities have seen teams represent them for a long time. The capital of the country could now lose two of its teams in the form of Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards. In order to avoid that, Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a plan and committed to keeping the two teams in Washington.

Muriel Bowser
Mayor Muriel Bowser (Pic Credit: AP)

She along with D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson introduced a $500 million legislation to invest in the renovation of the Capital One Arena and keep the two sports organizations in the city. The bill passed by them will fund the renovation process of the stadium which will be fully backed by the D.C. Council.

In the statement released by the mayor, she claimed to collaborate with the MSE and bring in new energy to the city, and ensure the teams stay within their home city.

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.
Mayor Muriel Bowser in the statement to keep Capitals and Wizards in Washington.

The Capital One Arena has been the home of these two sides since 1997. Whether this move from the mayor will have any effect on the plans of Ted Leonsis remains to be seen. However, the relocation of these two teams to Northern Virginia would be a big loss to Washington D.C. in economic terms. Fans are now holding their breath and keeping close eyes on the updates that could come along the way.

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