Howard Univ. officials, a pair of private developers and Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis are in talks to "build a publicly financed Wizards practice facility as part of a mixed-use development on the school’s campus" in northwest DC, according to Jonathan O'Connell of the WASHINGTON POST. Under the deal, which is in the "early stages of discussion, Howard would provide as much as two acres of land." Leonsis' Monumental Sports & Entertainment "would manage the facility," and the DC government "would be asked to float bonds to pay for construction of the facility," which could cost between $25-35M. But the suggestion that the DC government "foot the bill for construction of Monumental’s portion of the development could stretch an already tight District budget." MSE officials suggested that revenue from the facility -- through naming rights, merchandise sales and gym rentals -- "could be used to repay the cost of the facility." Howard President Wayne Frederick said that the development could "include new venues for the school's teams," including men's and women's basketball. Leonsis views a new practice facility as "critical to the team’s competitiveness in attracting the best free agents to DC and has been considering how to build one for more than a year." MSE Exec VP & General Counsel Randall Boe said that the Howard idea was "one of multiple proposals the team was considering, including locations in Arlington, Montgomery County and Tysons Corner." Boe added that MSE was "pursuing a basketball complex similar to the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, in Ballston, which Arlington County financed and Monumental manages as a practice center for the Capitals, which it also owns, and a community hockey center." O'Connell noted the new basketball venue "would include two full-size basketball courts, viewing stands, a weightlifting center and more." Boe: "We're talking to people and trying to figure out the financing model" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/5).
