Capitals and Wizards can’t leave DC until 2047, DC attorney general says

Jenna Romaine | jenna.romaine@wtop.com
March 22, 2024, 5:05 PM

There has been another development in the ongoing saga regarding the possible relocation of the Capitals and Wizards arena from D.C. to Alexandria, Virginia: According to a letter from the D.C. Office of the Attorney General, the teams are contractually obligated to remain in the District until 2047.

In the letter, dated Tuesday, to Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s general counsel Abby Blomstrom, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb cited legislation from July 2007 in which D.C. provided $50 million through municipal bonds for arena renovations with the caveat that the lease would be extended an additional 20 years beyond its initial 2027 time frame.

Monumental has stated previously it can legally end its lease at Capital One Arena early, citing amendments to the original agreement. ... Schwalb countered this, stating the legislation doesn’t include any amendments that would allow the company to “extinguish or revoke the lease extensions upon prepayment of the outstanding bond debt.” ... He further posited that Monumental had already broken additional contractual obligations by negotiating with Virginia.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Jenna Romaine
Jenna joins WTOP after working as lead staff writer for Secret D.C. She has been a contributing writer for Billboard and has also worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill where she reported for the Changing America section.

jenna.romaine@wtop.com