625 H Street, NE photos courtesy Grand Central Sportsbook & Cafe

From a press release:

“Grand Central LLC is excited to open its second sportsbook in the District of Columbia on H Street in Ward 6 in Northeast DC: Grand Central Sportsbook & Cafe (625 H Street NE). Its first sportsbook, Grand Central Restaurant, Bar & Sportsbook in Adams Morgan, opened in October 202. It was the first Class B license granted in the District of Columbia. Read More

“Who DID THIS?!” via @SenLouiseLucas

From Council Chairman Phil Mendelson:

“DC Council Chairman Mendelson released the following statement after news reports that the Virginia legislature may not fund Governor Youngkin’s proposed arena at Potomac Yard.

“The Arena and Monumental Sports have been partners with the District for almost 30 years, and a great asset to downtown,” Mendelson said. “As a deal in Virginia remains uncertain, the Council continues to be ready to welcome Monumental Sports’ change of mind. Read More

photo by CTB in DC

Given the recent RFK news it’s time to revisit our favorite subject – will the Washington Football Team now known as the Commanders, under new ownership, thank the Gods, return to DC? Or you think National Harbor? Or stay in Landover? Or maybe they head to Alexandria…

IYKYK

From a press release:

“Monumental Sports Network and Old Glory DC announced today a partnership to broadcast 13 games on the regional sports network during the 2024 Major League Rugby season. The broadcast schedule begins with Old Glory’s season opener on the road against New Orleans (NOLA) Gold on Saturday, March 2 at 4 PM ET and will run through the conclusion of the team’s season at the end of June. Read More

photo by Emma K Alexandra

From the Mayor’s Office last night:

“Following the House passage of the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act (H.R. 4984), Mayor Muriel Bowser released the following statement:

“Tonight’s vote was a significant step forward in our efforts to unlock the full potential of the RFK Campus — for our residents and visitors, the community, and DC’s Comeback. H.R. 4984 received overwhelming, bipartisan support and we want to thank House Oversight Chair James Comer, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and all of the co-sponsors for championing this legislation. We look forward to working with the Senate to swiftly advance this legislation.”

From the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton: Read More

300 Tingey Street, SE

Thanks to all who passed on news about Stadium Sports closing in Navy Yard.

Their closing note: Read More

601 F Street, NW

First Mayor Bowser tweeted: “We intend to keep our end of the bargain and enforce the leases with Monumental that require the Wizards and Capitals to play at the arena through 2047 and the Mystics to play in Congress Heights through 2037.

If Monumental goes ahead and breaks its leases, the short-term impact will be tough, not only on the neighborhood, but on our entire city. But let me be clear: The city owns the land under the Capital One Arena and will own the building, should Monumental Sports break its lease.”

Monumental then tweeted: “We’ve been clear w/ @MayorBowser that we will honor agreements to play at the arenas. Caps & Wiz have the right to pay off the bond in 2027 & end the COA lease early – MSE plans to exercise that right. And the Mystics will play at ESA through 2037 (unless city agrees otherwise).” Read More

photo by Diane Krauthamer

Thanks to Matt (and others) for passing on:

“Dear Fans and Supporters,

I’m writing to update our community of fans, customers, athletes, employees, our union workforce, sponsors, partners and extended family members regarding last month’s announcement that Monumental Sports & Entertainment has reached a framework of an agreement for a public-private partnership to create a world-class Entertainment District at Potomac Yard, the cornerstone of which will be a brand new, state-of-the-art arena for the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards.

Since the announcement, I have heard from fans across the DMV regarding the potential creation of a new Entertainment District if all approvals are received. I appreciate all the support and excitement from fans and customers about this project and I certainly acknowledge concerns heard from passionate members of the community. I look forward to hearing from those who are concerned, working to address any issues raised and demonstrating why I believe this is the best decision for our fans, our thousands of full and part-time employees, the teams, the athletes, our partners, and the DMV.

I believe in the DMV and will always be an advocate for our extended community, for the benefit of our teams and fans. My goal is to always take the high road and I believe I have lived up to that. However, I feel that it is important for me to address you, our community, directly, presenting the facts of this project.

At the heart of this decision is my belief that this project will accomplish two critical objectives: Read More

From the Nationals:

“The Washington Nationals on Tuesday added All-Star and World Series champion pitcher Sean Doolittle to their staff as a Pitching Strategist. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

In this role, Doolittle will serve as a liaison between the analytics department and pitching staff, while assisting the manager and pitching coach with strategy, mental preparation and mechanics. Read More

rendering courtesy JBG

From Monumental Sports:

“Today, Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s Founder, Chairman, Principal Partner, and CEO, Ted Leonsis, announced the company has reached a framework of an agreement for a public-private partnership to create a world-class Entertainment District in Alexandria at Potomac Yard, pending legislative approval and completion of definitive documents. This would relocate the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards’ home arena to Virginia beginning in 2028, should the proposal become finalized. Read More