Future of Capital One Arena Discussion

[jpj]

Why would the mystics and their 3000 average attendances move back to the 20,000 seat Cap One?

Are there enough concerts, circuses, shows, plays, WWE, Monster Truck rallies for a 20,000 seat Cap One year-round?

Can they cover the floor and make it a convention center?

[SSHoya]

Dec 13, 2023 11:26:53 GMT -5 jpj said:

Why would the mystics and their 3000 average attendances move back to the 20,000 seat Cap One?

Are there enough concerts, circuses, shows, plays, WWE, Monster Truck rallies for a 20,000 seat Cap One year-round?

Can they cover the floor and make it a convention center?

There's a huge convention center blocks away.

eventsdc.com/venue/walter-e-washington-convention-center

[hoyaboya]

[drquigley]

A real shame. For out of towners like me attending Hoya games at Cap One was a great way to spend a day in DC. Get together with friends during and after games, visit museums, shop. No desire to spend a day in Potomac Yards.

[njhoya78]

I think that we may be looking at Capital One Arena renovations that will reduce the seating capacity from its present 20,000 capacity for basketball. If Monumental intends to use Capital One Arena as a "second-level" concert facility, for acts that cannot sell out the present capacity but would succeed in a small environment, it can be a good adjunct without competing directly against the Potomac Yards project.

If I'm interpreting this correctly (which is always a major assumption), Hoya basketball will be sharing Capital One Arena with the Mystics going forward.

[HoyaAtHeart]

As someone actually born and raised in the area...I think the reaction to this is all quite a bit dramatic. I'm old enough to have been to games at the Capital Centre. The teams played in Landover for damn near the same amount of time they played in DC. You'd think the Caps/Wizards have been in the city for 50+ years the way people are reacting.

Potomac Yard is 10-15 minutes from the city. It's not as if they're moving to Woodbridge or something.

[DFW HOYA]

Dec 13, 2023 11:54:33 GMT -5 njhoya78 said:

If I'm interpreting this correctly (which is always a major assumption), Hoya basketball will be sharing Capital One Arena with the Mystics going forward.

For now, Georgetown isn't mentioned as a future tenant. Call it a typo, a slight, or maybe that Georgetown is simply no longer a part of Ted's future money making plans. And then wait for the rent to go up...

[HoyaAtHeart]

Dec 13, 2023 11:54:33 GMT -5 njhoya78 said:

I think that we may be looking at Capital One Arena renovations that will reduce the seating capacity from its present 20,000 capacity for basketball. If Monumental intends to use Capital One Arena as a "second-level" concert facility, for acts that cannot sell out the present capacity but would succeed in a small environment, it can be a good adjunct without competing directly against the Potomac Yards project.

If I'm interpreting this correctly (which is always a major assumption), Hoya basketball will be sharing Capital One Arena with the Mystics going forward.

The Mystics play at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Southeast.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

If the Wizards and Capitals move, Monumental could seek to transform Capital One into a “unique, flexible” arena that could host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans, with the WNBA Mystics team it also owns relocating there from its home in Congress Heights as early as 2028, Monumental said in the release.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

Dec 13, 2023 12:13:17 GMT -5 ColumbiaHeightsHoya said:

If the Wizards and Capitals move, Monumental could seek to transform Capital One into a “unique, flexible” arena that could host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans, with the WNBA Mystics team it also owns relocating there from its home in Congress Heights as early as 2028, Monumental said in the release.

If they somehow renovated and cut the size in half, that would be ideal. I don't know why DC would do this though. The St. E's facility was just built and is pretty ideal for WNBA crowds outside of the area around it needing to get developed. Potomac yards will be trash.

[SDHoya]

Dec 13, 2023 12:13:17 GMT -5 ColumbiaHeightsHoya said:

If the Wizards and Capitals move, Monumental could seek to transform Capital One into a “unique, flexible” arena that could host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans, with the WNBA Mystics team it also owns relocating there from its home in Congress Heights as early as 2028, Monumental said in the release.

If this really were to happen, and is executed well (e.g. not just as an afterthought), it would certainly benefit GU. I assume Hoyas would need to find a temporary home during the renovation/downsizing though.

[Problem of Dog]

Ted Leonsis, and let's not forget Zach Leonsis, are always about three moves behind. That's why this has become what it is.

[SDHoya]

Dec 13, 2023 12:11:34 GMT -5 DFW HOYA said:

Dec 13, 2023 11:54:33 GMT -5 njhoya78 said:

If I'm interpreting this correctly (which is always a major assumption), Hoya basketball will be sharing Capital One Arena with the Mystics going forward.

For now, Georgetown isn't mentioned as a future tenant. Call it a typo, a slight, or maybe that Georgetown is simply no longer a part of Ted's future money making plans. And then wait for the rent to go up...

The press release says future events to include—“ collegiate competitions (NCAA Men’s and Women’s tournaments, conference play, etc.)”

I assume Leonsos can’t say Hoyas will be a part of this because the discussion hs not yet happened. He can say specifically reference the mystics because it’s his team. But not sure what other college’s “conference” games he would envision being played there.

Still not sure this will actually happen. Could just be a face saving throw away line later to be forgotten. If GU is interested in this, it needs to move fast to secure it.

[guru]

Dec 13, 2023 12:34:11 GMT -5 SDHoya said:

Dec 13, 2023 12:11:34 GMT -5 DFW HOYA said:

For now, Georgetown isn't mentioned as a future tenant. Call it a typo, a slight, or maybe that Georgetown is simply no longer a part of Ted's future money making plans. And then wait for the rent to go up...

The press release says future events to include—“ collegiate competitions (NCAA Men’s and Women’s tournaments, conference play, etc.)”

I assume Leonsos can’t say Hoyas will be a part of this because the discussion hs not yet happened. He can say specifically reference the mystics because it’s his team. But not sure what other college’s “conference” games he would envision being played there.

Still not sure this will actually happen. Could just be a face saving throw away line later to be forgotten. If GU is interested in this, it needs to move fast to secure it.

If the dust settles and Hoyas end up playing in a downsized downtown arena that has been upgraded and still hosts WNBA games and concerts/events with an 8-10k capacity, that’s maybe a best case scenario out of all possibilities for Georgetown, correct?

[guru]

Dec 13, 2023 12:21:55 GMT -5 SDHoya said:

Dec 13, 2023 12:13:17 GMT -5 ColumbiaHeightsHoya said:

If the Wizards and Capitals move, Monumental could seek to transform Capital One into a “unique, flexible” arena that could host between 10,000 and 20,000 fans, with the WNBA Mystics team it also owns relocating there from its home in Congress Heights as early as 2028, Monumental said in the release.

If this really were to happen, and is executed well (e.g. not just as an afterthought), it would certainly benefit GU. I assume Hoyas would need to find a temporary home during the renovation/downsizing though.

Maybe not. It’s possible to do it in the offseason. Or do it like MSG, which somehow stayed open throughout?

[njhoya78]

Dec 13, 2023 12:11:40 GMT -5 HoyaAtHeart said:

Dec 13, 2023 11:54:33 GMT -5 njhoya78 said:

I think that we may be looking at Capital One Arena renovations that will reduce the seating capacity from its present 20,000 capacity for basketball. If Monumental intends to use Capital One Arena as a "second-level" concert facility, for acts that cannot sell out the present capacity but would succeed in a small environment, it can be a good adjunct without competing directly against the Potomac Yards project.

If I'm interpreting this correctly (which is always a major assumption), Hoya basketball will be sharing Capital One Arena with the Mystics going forward.

The Mystics play at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Southeast.

From an e-mail I received today from Monumental Sports:

"In recognition of the significant growth in the WNBA's viewership and fan engagement, we’re also anticipating the Washington Mystics will need a larger venue in the next 3-5 years and would like to explore the option for the Mystics to transition into making Capital One Arena their home. Such a move would be a testament to their success and the burgeoning appeal of women's sports."

[DanMcQ]

[dariantownesvanzandt]

- Remove all/most upper tier seating
- Lower the ceiling (MSG concave would be nice)
- Reconfigure 200 level Clubs/Suites & that silly end-of-court lounge for more regular seating

What more would you need to do? That's already around 10k+ and would improve the experience immeasurably for both big & small crowds

I'd be totally cool with that.

[HoyaAtHeart]

Dec 13, 2023 13:03:32 GMT -5 njhoya78 said:

Dec 13, 2023 12:11:40 GMT -5 HoyaAtHeart said:

The Mystics play at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Southeast.

From an e-mail I received today from Monumental Sports:

"In recognition of the significant growth in the WNBA's viewership and fan engagement, we’re also anticipating the Washington Mystics will need a larger venue in the next 3-5 years and would like to explore the option for the Mystics to transition into making Capital One Arena their home. Such a move would be a testament to their success and the burgeoning appeal of women's sports."

Ahh I missed that in the announcement earlier. Certainly will be interesting to see if the Mystics do actually grow enough to play in a building that big. I think I read that they could downsize the seating a bit which would certainly benefit any non NBA team playing there.

The atmosphere in ESA is actually really cool. I love catching games there. I wish Georgetown had something just like it on campus.

[hoyasaxa2003]

I think a renovated, smaller Capital One Center would be a major plus, and actually better than what we have today. That said, the allure of playing instead in a shiny new arena, even if it's in Alexandria, may draw.

To answer prhoya's question about what will Jack do? My guess is nothing. I think HoyaTalk is much more concerned about this than Jack and most people involved in the program. By the time the new arena opens, will Jack even be the President anymore?

PS. Having a WNBA team play in an NBA arena is not a big deal. The NY Liberty have played in either MSG, Prudential Center, or Barclays for most of their existence.