Now this is a game changer. And we have to also discuss how this may affect the Mystics.
It’s already shocking that the Washington Wizards and Capitals could be moving to Alexandria, Va. in 2027 or so. But according to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, the Wizards could get a new practice facility in Alexandria AND the new arena!
If Ted Leonsis’ plan to move the Capitals and Wizards to an arena in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Va., comes to fruition, the campus would include a new practice facility for the Wizards, a source with knowledge of Leonsis’ plans told @TheAthleticNBA.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) December 13, 2023
A new practice facility would be shocking because the MedStar Health Performance Center and the adjacent Entertainment and Sports Arena opened in 2018. It also raises more questions, especially around the Washington Mystics and Capital City Go-Go.
The biggest one is whether they move too. From previous reports, it appeared that the Mystics would stay at ESA. Assuming the Wizards AND Go-Go move their practice operations, the Mystics would have MedStar Health Performance Center to themselves. It could be sold to future WNBA free agents as a strength for the Mystics.
WNBA teams and players have become increasingly inpatient about the lack of equity of practice facilities within their league. Some teams like the Chicago Sky don’t have one. And others like the Las Vegas Aces have their own. The Mystics are in between and Monumental Sports doesn’t want to be considered a have-not among WNBA teams.
All of this conjecture I wrote may be pointless in an hour during a press conference with Va. Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Monumental Sports CEO Ted Leonsis. But this is something I could see happening in an Alexandria arena plan.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. An open thread for the Conference will come out at around 8:45 a.m. ET.