DC leaders, NBA commissioner celebrate the start of an $800M downtown arena renovation

AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and other area leaders celebrated the start of an $800 million downtown arena renovation Thursday. The event came several hours before an attempt to potentially get the NFL’s Washington Commanders back into the district faltered in Congress. The NHL and NBA teams agreed back in the spring to remain at Capital One Arena as part of $515 million, publicly funded project. Leonsis’ Monumental Sports and Entertainment is paying for the rest.