CAPS/WIZARDS TO VIRGINIA ... DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH
So … plans for the new 20,000-seat home in Alexandria for the NHL Capitals and NBA Wizards call for Virginia’s share ($1.4 billion) to be paid via the sale of bonds … which supposedly means taxpayers won’t have to foot as much as a penny of the bill. Get serious!
Of course, they/we will … if not directly for the facility then for costs
Gov.Glenn Youngkin, in his zeal for bringing major-league sports to
the state for the first time, failed to mention. Say like … as much as
$200 million “in transportation improvements for the project,”
according to The Washington Post. Whatever that means.
In all, the $2 billion deal includes creating a mixed complex on 12
acres at Potomac Yards next to the Potomac River. The land is to be
sold to a Virginia stadium authority which will issue the bonds
scheduled for repayment in about 40 years from such things as rental,
income taxes on athletes and team officials as well as ticket sales and
other tax revenue.
Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Caps and
Wizards, will pay about $30 million in annual rental or some $6
million less than it currently pays for use of the downtown arena built
in 1997. According to Youngkin, Monumental owner Ted Leonsis,
with whom he has “a firm handshake” for a non-binding agreement,
will put up $400 million as his initial contribution.
Citing unnamed sources, The Post said Monumental “would get to sell
naming rights to the [new] arena but the state could sell naming rights
for the broader entertainment district.”
Did we mention Virginia doesn’t have a stadium authority – yet?
Details, always details … Like getting to the new facility could be a
major snafu. Traffic gridlock ALWAYS is a problem in Northern
Virginia. And, even if people want to drive there, will there be enough
parking? To be determined.
The most logical way is by Metro, and a station is near by -- except …
there is only one track . What if there is a breakdown which has been
an ongoing problem for an aging service in need of many upgrades?
Did we say “major league?” The Capitals, yes. The Wizards? Surely
you jest.
The General Assembly must sign off on the deal. Is it too much to
think it will recognize the folly of it all and just say NO?
Meanwhile, embattled D.C., mayor Muriel Bowser, whose popularity
has become virtually non-existent, is trying her darndest to keep the
Caps and Wizards, promising $500 million of taxpayer money to
renovate Capital One Arena.
Of course, that would solve only part of the problem there … where it
will take more than money to overcome the escalating crime rate in
the neighborhood. That undoubtedly is the real reason Leonsis wants
to move his teams.
“ONE OF THE WORST RULES IN SPORTS MAY BE GONE” …
headline immediately caught my eye. Clearly, it was about the NFL.
Could it be they finally wised up and decided to eliminate the rule that
requires two feet in bounds for a pass to be completed? And save
much time wasted over replay reviews that too often are subjective
anyway?
Sorry. In this case, “worst” refers to the offensive team automatically
losing possession when it fumbles the ball through and out of the
opponent’s end zone.
OK, so that’s dumb but … how often does it happen in a season (a
few), much less every game (seldom)?
You want worst? How about rules covering roughing the quarterback
and/or pass interference? They change game to game … no, play to
play. Now that’s really subjective.
ESPN RADIO’S Chris Canty, former U.Va., and NFL defensive end,
on the NBA Warriors Draymond Green … who (cliché alert) keeps
losing it … and was suspended indefinitely (Dec. 13): “You’ve got to
take basketball away from him … in every single capacity. He can’t be
around his teammates. He can’t practice. Take it away from him. He
can’t play in games. He doesn’t deserve the privilege. [Commissioner]
Adam Silver needs to send a strong message what the league will not
tolerate. Draymond needs help with his mental health … and work on
his anger management.”
Green received his 18th career ejection for smacking the Suns’ Jusuf
Nurkic in the face. For no apparent reason.
“Dray see those Euros takin the league from us and fightin back.”
tweeted former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas. Wonderful!
Until next time ...
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