Photo: Colosseo
On Monday, Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced in a press conference that Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s requested waiver for fans to attend games at Capital One Arena at 10% capacity is still pending with no definitive timeline for a decision to be made. It is unlikely that fans will return for games with the Washington Capitals and Wizards 2020-21 regular seasons concluding in May.
Below is the full statement from Monica Dixon, President of External Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer at MSE, as first reported by the Washington Post:
Ted Leonsis, Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said they are “disappointed”. “Our staff [has] worked tirelessly putting in place numerous infrastructure upgrades and health and safety protocols to protect fans and staff,” Leonsis said in a tweet Monday evening.
Nevertheless, our players, coaches and staff are determined to finish the season strong as we march towards the playoffs and can’t wait to play in front of our fans again soon.
#DCAboveAll | #ALLCAPS | #RaisetheGame | #BeMonumental— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) April 5, 2021
On March 15, Mayor Bowser lifted numerous COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which included professional sports resuming with a waiver to apply to host fans after March 22. MSE, owner of Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics, submitted a request to plan to host fans back at Capital One Arena for Capitals and Wizards games.
The Capitals are the only team in the MassMutual East Division to not have any fans return.
Should DC/Mayor Bowser allow 10% attendance to Capitals/Wizards games? #ALLCAPS
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) April 5, 2021
By Della Young
I believe 10% attendance can be done safely.
Washington:
First in war
First in peace
and last in attending local sporting events.
Lol. That needs to be on a t shirt.
Agreed!
What about opening ticket sales (at a discount) to first responders and medical professionals. They’ve most likely had their vaccinations and certainly deserve a small perk.
Great idea!