Capitals owner announces plan to move club to Virginia

In recent days, the subject of the Capitals and their next arena has gained momentum.

After all, we knew the club was looking at its options outside D.C. per se, but we didn’t know how realistic the discussions were about a new arena.

Ted Leonsis, owner of the Capitals (and the Wizards, in the NBA), didn’t just negotiate to keep both his clubs in the D.C. arena. He had other options on the table.

For example? Virginia.

What you need to know is that the Capitals train in Virginia. So the plan to move the club to a new arena there isn’t exactly something that would turn everything upside down for the guys.

And that’s clearly where we’re headed. After all, Leonsis held a press conference this morning to announce his plan to move the Wizards and Capitals to a new arena in Virginia.

NEWS: Washington Wizards and Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis announced plans Wednesday to move his NBA and NHL franchises from downtown D.C. to northern Virginia, with a goal to be in a new arena by 2028.

Morehttps://t.co/ZlcdE5uVFa

– The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 13, 2023

The goal? Move in 2028.

Yesterday, we learned that the city of Washington really wanted to keep its teams. It did so by announcing $500 million in renovations to the two clubs’ current arena.

But since a press conference was scheduled this morning to announce the agreement in principle between the clubs and Virginia, we can assume that it was simply to save face publicly that such news was announced publicly by the city.

After all, you don’t change such big plans on 24 hours’ notice.

While the majority of NHL teams try to get closer to downtown (like the Senators, for example), the Capitals are taking the opposite route, aiming for Alexandria.

It’s only a few kilometers from D.C. (like a 20-minute drive) and it’s not far, but it’s still counterproductive in my eyes. It’s like the Habs moving to Laval or Brossard or something.

But obviously, the owner thinks it’s better. Is it because the negotiations to keep the club in D.C. didn’t work out? You’d think so.

But hey. Ted Leonsis even sported a Virginia Tech tie, no doubt to project the image of a guy happy with his decision alongside Glenn Youngkin, the state’s governor.

Ted Leonsis wearing a Virginia Tech tie pic.twitter.com/30F3wo5vza

– Treadmill Horse (@treadmillhorse) December 13, 2023

Note that the agreement in principle speaks of a two-billion-dollar project. The two teams’ arenas would be there, as would a training complex for the NBA club, as well as hotels, a film studio and condos, among other things.

Moving across the Potomac River won’t cost the Caps any fans, but we’ll see if it’s the right decision.

In bursts

– Indeed.

– Bob Gainey celebrates his 70th birthday.

– Good question. Jayden Struble is playing better and better, by the way.

– Collectively, Connor McDavid won. Individually, Connor Bedard won.

– Logical.