The Wizards will be under construction, and not just on the floor. The Washington franchise will launch a major renovation of its room, the Capital One Arenawhich also hosts the Capitals, an NHL franchise. The project was presented Thursday by the owner of the two franchises, Ted Leonsis, in the presence of Adam Silver.
The work is expected to be spread over six phases and until the 2027/28 season. They come when the Wizards could have moved a few months ago to Virginia or Maryland. To stay in the capital, Ted Leonsis agreed to put his hand in the wallet with a cost estimated at 800 million dollars, paid in part by the businessman's company Monumental Sports and Entertainment and public funds.
“ I have to say it, a year makes a lot of difference » welcomed Brooke Pinto, member of the municipal council. “ It’s a substantial program. » added the owner of the Wizards, former boss of AOL. “ But when you see what we're going to do for the players, the fans and the city, it's going to be worth the wait. »
Where we've made history. Where we'll make more. Where we're turning the past inside out to make the future.
Introducing the New @CapitalOneArena: Where Monuments Meet Momentum. pic.twitter.com/LniNKtpirz
— Monumental Sports & Entertainment (@MSE) December 19, 2024
Among the main transformations to come, in addition to the refreshments, the size of the locker rooms will be more than doubled, and new VIP suites will be added to the existing ones.
Visually too, the enclosure, opened in 1997, will be entitled to a small transformation. Some sort of wooden canopies will be installed in the corridors leading to the stands. A new partly transparent facade will be completely reworked, surrounding the entire room.
The spirit is to want to mix the history of Washington and its monuments with modernity. It seems aesthetically successful, and it obviously already pleases the NBA, while Adam Silver hinted to holding events like an All-Star Game in the Wizards' den in the future.
