How Youngkin took the Capitals and Wizards from under DC’s nose

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) and other Virginia leaders proudly touted a plan alongside Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis to bring both teams to a new arena in Alexandria, Virginia, leaving Washington, D.C., leaders scrambling to prevent the move.

The Wednesday announcement of a proposed $2 billion sports and entertainment district being built in the Potomac Yard neighborhood of Alexandria required months of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, even as Leonsis negotiated with Washington for renovations to the current home of the Capitals and Wizards, according to a report from Axios.

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The report, citing sources who asked to remain anonymous, said that local leaders were brought into the deal this past summer, speeding up the process of working toward a deal, but that a Nov. 13 meeting between Youngkin and Leonsis in Falls Church put the “final touches” on the deal for the development.

That meeting occurred around the time it was reported that Leonsis had told Washington he was seeking $600 million in funds to renovate the Capital One Arena, the current home of the Wizards and Capitals, in Chinatown.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a press conference on Thursday that she had been in “serious talks” with Monumental Sports, which owns the two teams, even as Virginia lawmakers were working in the background.

“I want to be clear about something, that we have been in serious talks with Monumental about staying in downtown Washington, staying in Chinatown, and last, over the last several days, you have seen the unanimous support of the D.C. Council,” Bowser said. “We have been responsive to Monumental throughout our process, and we have negotiated in good faith with them over the last several months.”

(Rendering courtesy of JBG SMITH)

Ahead of the announcement of the Potomac Yard plan, which saw a bipartisan group of politicians in attendance, Youngkin had been rallying support from Democrats, including Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).

As reports of the Potomac Yard proposal circulated on Tuesday, leaders in Washington issued their “best and final offer” to keep the teams in the city, which included $500 million in funds for renovations to the current home of the Wizards and Capitals.

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At her press conference hours after the Virginia announcement, Bowser said she knew the teams moving to Virginia was always a possibility and did believe that the negotiations with Leonsis were in good faith on both sides.

The $2 billion Potomac Yard plan announced on Wednesday calls for a new arena, a 6,000-seat performing arts center, a practice facility for the Wizards, restaurants, hotels, and housing. The development would be located near the Potomac Yard Metro station, which opened in May.