Washington Wizards Move to Northern Virginia Facing Setbacks

The Washington Wizards deal to move to Alexandria, Virginia is facing major setbacks and could fall through.

A major blow has been dealt to the deal that would move the Washington Wizards to Northern Virginia.

The two-billion-dollar development, which includes a new arena for the Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals, was announced by Virgina governor Glenn Youngkin with Monumental Sports and Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis back in December.

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According to an article by Sarah Rankin of the Associated Press the deal is hitting a major roadblock.

"His proposal is not ready for prime time," Virginia Senator Louise Lucas posted on social media in response to the proposed bill. "This is what happens when (the) Executive Branch doesn't operate in good faith and doesn't have respect for the Legislative Branch."

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The scrutiny isn't just in the political aisle though, as it has also met the ire of former Washington players as well as current and former DC residents.

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has also voiced her frustration and disappointment over the situation and has said she will enforce the lease agreement between the city and Monumental Sports that keeps the Wizards at Capital One Arena through 2047.

Monumental sports owner Ted Leonsis sits court side during the first half of the game between the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena / Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

"As far as I'm concerned, it is," Lucas said when asked if the deal was dead. "As long as the full faith and credit of this Commonwealth is backing this project, my answer continues to be an absolute no."

If the project revenue doesn't match what is expected it could leave the taxpayers with the bill due to moral obligation bonds, which is Lucas' concern.

This morning the bill was officially killed in the Virginia Senate, and while the house bill is still alive, the Senators plan to shoot that down as well according to Eric Flack, chief investigative reporter for WUSA9.

🚨 HUGE news from Richmond. Senate version of bill to fund new Capitals/Wizards arena in Alexandria dead. Senate Finance has no plans to move forward over concerns about taxpayer money, Gov Youngkin refusal to negotiate. House bill still alive but Senate Dems plan to vote it down https://t.co/C0cMnabn1a

— Eric Flack (@EricFlackTV) February 12, 2024

Negotiations can still happen but as of right now both sides seem to be at a stalemate.

Truth be told this is a fluid situation and we can't know what to expect until any deals are actually signed but this certainly gives hope back to the DC  that they could retain their beloved Wizards and Capitals home.

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