D.C. pushes back against Wizards' potential move to Virginia / News - Basketnews.com

The Attorney General for the District of Columbia is asserting that the Washington Wizards must continue playing in downtown's Capital One Arena until 2047, citing a 2007 bond agreement.

Credit: Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Patrick Smith/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

The Attorney General for the District of Columbia is asserting that the NBA's Washington Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals are required to continue playing their games in the downtown arena until 2047.

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This is the city's latest effort to prevent the teams from leaving.

In a letter sent by Brian Schwalb to Monumental Sports and Entertainment, he referred to a 2007 bond agreement for renovations which extended the teams' lease for another 20 years beyond the initial period, up to 2027.

This development comes as Monumental's plan for a new $2 billion arena across the Potomac River in Alexandria has hit a snag in the Virginia legislature.

Schwalb mentioned that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's offer of $500 million to renovate Capital One Arena is still on the table.

Schwalb emphasized in his letter to Monumental's general counsel, Abby Blomstrom, that the District would prefer not to take legal action against Monumental Sports and Entertainment.

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