A plan to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards into Virginia from Washington D.C. sits on thin ice. Some Virginia legislators, trying to create an alternative plan to bring the two franchises into the Commonwealth, considered the idea of pairing a casino with the newly proposed arena, according to The Washington Post.

Governor Glenn Youngkin and Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis are among the key stakeholders who strongly oppose the new idea, which would bring the arena and casino to the Fairfax area. They want their original plan to bring the Capitals and Wizards to Virginia to continue without tying in casino gambling.

Separate proposals to bring a casino to the Fairfax area stalled earlier this legislative session, making this new push surprising.

Minimal support for the idea

The Washington Post reported that Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Comstock CEO Christopher Clemente, and consultant Ben Tribbett were the trio leading the push for the casino and arena connection. Tribbett consults for Surovell, Comstock, and Sen. Louise Lucas, who has strongly opposed the two teams coming to Virginia.

Lucas told The Washington Post she didn’t know anything about this new plan, suggesting Surovell was more involved with the idea.

While the idea doesn’t seem to have any legs, it irked both Leonsis and Youngkin, according to the report. It’s likely Leonsis and Youngkin will continue pushing for their original plan to bring a new arena to Virginia, but it’s unclear if that will garner enough support to move forward.

There’s seemingly hesitancy in Virginia for a major gambling expansion, as Richmond shot down casino referendums in 2021 and 2023. Fairfax residents have been vocal in opposition of a commercial casino as well. Virginia allows for legal sports betting, but online casinos aren’t legal.

Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images