Monumental Sports Announces Washington Wizards are Moving Out of the District
The Washington Wizards are officially on the move to northern Virginia.
Monumental Sports has revealed the plans to move the Wizards and its NHL counterparts the Washington Capitals to the Potomac Yards neighborhood in Alexandria, VA.
Alexandria is about half an hour south of downtown DC where the current home for Washington is located.
READ MORE: Kyle Kuzma Reacts to Wizards Move
The proposed 70-acre area will include an arena, practice facility, restaurants, retail shops and more entertainment for the fans.
Monumental Sports CEO and Wizards owner Ted Leonis and Virginia Govenor Glenn Youngkin held a press conference starting at 9 am EST this morning to announce the plans.
There was a last-ditch effort to prevent the move by Washington DC officials and Mayor Muriel Bowser but it didn't pay off.
READ MORE: Last Second Hail Mary from DC Officials to Keep Wizards
The project will not be completed until 2028 and the lease at Capital One Arena runs through 2027 so there is some time before the move will be completed.
They also announced that the WNBA team Washington Mystics will stay in Washington DC and at an upgraded Capital One Arena.
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
Reactions have been mixed within the fans and media so far.
Unfortunately, with this move lives will be affected forever as jobs will be lost and downtown businesses will lose money and possibly be forced to shut down.
With that being said there will also be lots of opportunities in the Alexandria area.
You could imagine that this new development will also attract fans from other teams to be more willing to travel to Washington games.
Keep tuned to Inside The Wizards for more updates as news and reactions continue to roll out.
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