The Wizards will play a preseason game against the Knicks on Oct. 17 at Baltimore Arena, and facility GM Frank Remesch said that the success of a Predators-Capitals preseason game in '11 "helped sway" Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis to make an NBA game happen, according to Edward Lee of the Baltimore SUN. The Capitals will "take part in a second Baltimore Hockey Classic" against the Bruins on Sept. 17. Remesch said, "It used to irritate me so much when I would hear that Baltimore is a tertiary market. It's a primary market, and we've proven that over and over again." Lee notes the game against the Knicks "marks the first time the Wizards will play in Baltimore since 1999." The franchise played in Baltimore from '63-73 as the Bullets "before moving to Landover" (Baltimore SUN, 8/8). Meanwhile, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake yesterday on area radio station WIYY-FM said that she "wants an NBA team back in Baltimore." When asked about the possibility of pro basketball returning to the city, she said, "I would love it." Rawlings-Blake: "It is not out of the realm of possibility. There would be obstacles but I have hope." A spokesperson for the mayor said that she "has not had any formal conversations with the NBA or NBA franchises about bringing a team to town" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/7).
