DC Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote an op-ed that was published in the Washington Post on Sunday, titled “Why Washington sports teams should stay in Washington.” Monumental Sports, the Ted Leonsis-led group who owns the Washington Capitals, Mystics, and Wizards, has responded.
In the Twitter/X posts accompanying the op-ed on Sunday morning, Bowser writes, “We intend to keep our end of the bargain and enforce the leases with Monumental that require the Wizards and Capitals to play at the arena through 2047 and the Mystics to play in Congress Heights through 2037.” This is following the announcement that the teams will move to Alexandria, VA starting in 2028z
She goes on to write, “If Monumental goes ahead and breaks its leases, the short-term impact will be tough, not only on the neighborhood, but on our entire city. But let me be clear: The city owns the land under the Capital One Arena and will own the building, should Monumental Sports break its lease.”
Monumental Sports replied on Sunday afternoon, writing, “We’ve been clear w/ @MayorBowser that we will honor agreements to play at the arenas. Caps & Wiz have the right to pay off the bond in 2027 & end the COA lease early – MSE plans to exercise that right. And the Mystics will play at ESA through 2037 (unless city agrees otherwise).”
Monumental Sports/Ted Leonsis recently sent out an email detailing plans for what’s next for the Capitals and Wizards (plans for the Mystics won’t take place as quickly).