RESTON, Va. — After the original plan to build a new arena in Potomac Yard stalled in Virginia's General Assembly, Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell floated an idea around the legislature regarding a potential new arena and casino in Tysons, according to political consultant Ben Tribbett.
Tribbett consults a number of legislatures, including Senator Surovell and Senator Louise Lucas, who blocked the inclusion of the new arena in the state budget.
"This thing is so preliminary, he was just asking people – do you like the idea? There’s no deal on the table in writing or a document of this site or this ownership breakdown. Just do you like that concept or not," expained Tribbett.
A spokesperson for Monumental Sports and Entertainment says it rejected the concept.
Tribbett says it comes down to the money and how most taxpaying citizens don't want to pay for a new arena.
"The burden is on Monumental to tell the taxpayers why that’s a good deal for them and convince the legislators, not the other way around," he said.
Tribbett calls Monumental's approach to moving out of D.C. "out of touch."
"Monumental’s never seemed to grasp the statewide implications of what they’re doing," he explained.
He says in the big picture, taxpayers who live outside of Potomac Yard, won't see the financial benefits of a new arena right now.
"When you say hundreds of millions of dollars of bonds to professional sports teams in Northern Virginia, you’re telling people in Senator Lucas’ area for example in Portsmouth, you’re going to need to go to school with a leaky roof because Ted needs a stadium," he explained.
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Banner reports that Monumental owner Ted Leonsis met with Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently to talk about moving the teams to Maryland. But their reporting does acknowledge that this isn't likely.
WUSA9 reached out to Monumental Sports for comment.
"At no time, have we ever or would we ever consider operating alongside a casino, period. Our proposal in Alexandria at Potomac Yard provides our fans, players, employees and the people of this region the best opportunity for winning teams and a great economic impact. While we are disappointed in how this has played out, we hope our proposal will get a fair hearing," said Monica Dixon, President of External Affairs & Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
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