Relocation For This NHL Team Has Been denied

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Joshua Deeds
March 27, 2024 (11:40 PM)

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There was an announcement in December that the NHL's Washington Capitals and NBA's Washington Wizards would be relocating. They would be moving from their home in the Capital One Arena to an arena that hasn't been built yet in Northern Virginia.

The owner of both teams, Ted Leonsis had plans drawn up for a growing entertainment district in Alexandria, but the taxpayer-funded deal has stalled in Virginia's Democratic-led state legislature.

«The City of Alexandria has ended negotiations,» Mayor Justin Wilson said in a statement, adding: «We trusted this process and are disappointed in what occurred between the Governor and General Assembly.»

Alexandria announces that they've rejected the proposal by #caps owner Ted Leonsis to build a new arena in Virginia. Sounds like Monumental is back to the drawing board to find new home for Caps and Wiz. https://t.co/zCmtFwPrRF� Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 27, 2024

It was announced on Wednesday that the new arena in Potomac Yard for the Capitals and Wizards, "will not move forward" the Mayor of Alexandria said. Virginia's House Speaker confirmed that he was told that Leonsis was no longer considering the deal to relocate both teams from the District of Columbia.

The Capitals and Wizards are staying in Washington with a $515 million arena renovation deal with the District. Story with @sarah_rankin and @MattBarakat: https://t.co/3rNIc0otgc pic.twitter.com/NdQxbGuXD5� Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) March 27, 2024

According to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman, the team will reveal plans to stay put in addition to improving the arena with upgrades.

Sounds like there will soon be announcement that the teams will stay where they arewith upgrades to the facility and expanding the footprint around the arena.

Sounds like there will soon be announcement that the teams will stay where they arewith upgrades to the facility and expanding the footprint around the arena. https://t.co/JOtgFibi9O� Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 27, 2024

It was revealed in a statement later that the city was disappointed with the decision of the legislature.

Each of these events brings the community together, supports thousands of jobs, and generates significant tax revenue for the city.

Each of these events brings the community together, supports thousands of jobs, and generates significant tax revenue for the city.� Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) March 27, 2024

This led to Leonsis posting complimentary things about the current home of his teams, the Capital One Arena. He would reiterate the teams and Arena's current successes in attendance for both sports and concerts.

That seems like a nice and convenient pivot, considering he was originally going to leave Capital One Arena high and dry.

As Seen On: hockeyfeed.com