Virginia Senator Says Bill to Relocate Wizards, Capitals with New Arena Is Off

The Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals had been hoping to relocate to a new arena, but it doesn't sound like that will be happening anytime soon.

Per ESPN, Virginia Sen. L. Louise Lucas said Monday that proposed legislation to help facilitate the relocation of both franchises to northern Virginia is dead, as far as she's concerned.

Lucas, who is described as "a leading Democratic Virginia legislator," is the chair of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee.

She said on social media over the weekend that legislation for the deal was "not ready for prime time" and wouldn't receive a hearing in her committee, which effectively killed the legislation in the Senate due to this week's procedural deadline. Another bill is reportedly "making progress" in the House of Delegates, which is also controlled by the Democrats.

In December, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and entrepreneur Ted Leonsis, the CEO of the teams' parent company, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, announced that they "reached an understanding" on a deal to relocate the Wizards and Capitals. The proposed new site in Alexandria, Virginia, is just a few miles away from where the franchises currently play in Washington, D.C.

However, according to ESPN, "Lucas on Monday said [Youngkin] had made a series of mistakes in trying to advance the deal through a General Assembly now in full Democratic control after November's elections." Lucas also voiced concerns over the House version of the bill due to the financial burden it will create for taxpayers.

"As long as the full faith and credit of the commonwealth is backing this project, my answer continues to be an absolute no," Lucas said.

Still, Rob Damschen, communications director for Youngkin, said in a statement that Youngkin "remains confident" that the Assembly "will come together because this project is good for the entire Commonwealth."

Monica Dixon, a top executive at Monumental, said in a written statement Monday that the company is having "healthy discussions" with General Assembly leaders and Alexandria City Council members and was encouraged by Friday's vote in a House committee where the bill passed 17-3.

"This project will deliver tremendous benefits for the City of Alexandria and the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, including tens of thousands of new jobs and billions in revenue and economic impact," Dixon said.