"Ted Leonsis Defends Virginia Move for Wizards and Capitals Amid Criticism"

Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, defends the decision to move the teams to Northern Virginia, emphasizing the need for space and opportunity. He refutes claims that the move would reduce accessibility for fans, citing the proximity to downtown D.C. and transportation options. Leonsis plans to contribute over $400 million to the project and believes the site will pay for itself through lease payments, user fees, and generated taxes. Additionally, he intends to support downtown D.C. by keeping the existing Capital One Arena and relocating the city’s WNBA team, the Washington Mystics, to the arena.