D.C. prepared to fight for teams
The attorney general for the District of Columbia contends that the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals are obligated to play their games in the downtown arena through 2047, the city’s latest salvo to keep the teams from leaving.
In a letter Brian Schwalb wrote this week to Monumental Sports and Entertainment that was obtained by the Associated Press, Schwalb cited a 2007 bond agreement for renovations that extended the teams’ lease for 20 years beyond the initial timeframe through 2027. The letter comes as Monumental’s $2-billion plan for a new arena across the Potomac River in Alexandria has stalled in the Virginia legislature. Schwalb said D.C. Mayor
Muriel Bowser’s $500-million offer to renovate Capital One Arena still stands. Bowser, in an op-ed piece in the Washington Post last month, urged Monumental to consider that and said the city would enforce the lease terms if necessary.
Since then, Virginia Democratic Sen. L. Louise Lucas used her perch as chair of the Finance and Appropriations Committee to keep the arena deal struck by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Ted Leonsis, the head of Monumental, out of the state budget. That development doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road for the plan, but it complicates the path forward.
Capitals winger Tom Wilson was suspended six games for a stick-to-the-face penalty . ... Rookie Lukas Dostal made 29 saves for his first shutout, Alex Killorn had his second two-goal game of the season, and the Ducks beat Chicago 4-0 on Thursday night to snap a seven-game losing streak.
Frank Vatrano became the second undrafted player in team history to score 30 goals, joining Andy McDonald, who scored 34 in 200506. Brett Leason also had a goal and an assist. Rookie
Leo Carlsson, the second overall pick in last year’s draft, did not return after a knee-on-knee collision.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram has a bone bruise in his left knee that is expected to sideline him at least two weeks.
All-Star right-hander Michael Lorenzen joined the Texas Rangers with a $4.5-million, one-year contract . ... J.D. Martinez, who hit 33 homers for the Dodgers last year, agreed to a $12-million, one-year contract with the New York Mets . ... Arizona pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez has a lat strain and is expected to open the season on the injured list . ... Detroit optioned right-hander Matt Manning to triple-A Toledo.
Thongchai Jaidee shot a 62 for a one-shot lead at the Champions Tour’s Hoag Classic at Newport Beach Country Club . ... Stewart Cink was part of a five-way share of the lead at Innisbrook . ... Maude-Aimee Leblanc matched her best score on the LPGA Tour with a seven-under 64 on Thursday to take the firstround lead in the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship at Palos Verdes Country Club. Tour rookie Malia Nam, one of seven former USC players in the field, was second after a 65. Former UCLA player Alison Lee was at 66.
Playing four days after the death of a former hockey player she dated, Aryna Sabalenka beat Paula Badosa 6-4, 6-3 in the Miami Open. Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro also advanced.
Logan Sargeant, Formula One’s only American driver, won’t race in the Australian Grand Prix after his team gave his car to teammate Alex Albon, whose vehicle was wrecked in a crash in Friday’s practice.
The United States men’s soccer team escaped defeat with an own goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, Haji Wright scored twice in extra time, and the Americans rallied past Jamaica 3-1 Thursday night to reach the CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico.