Ted Leonsis Plans to Bring Women’s Hockey Team to DC

Ted Leonsis, the majority owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, has set his sights on bringing a women’s hockey team to Washington, DC. In a recent interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at the Global Sports Leadership Conference, Leonsis expressed his desire to make DC the capital of women’s professional sports.

Leonsis envisions a future where DC is home to not only a women’s hockey team, but also women’s baseball and volleyball teams. He believes that the platform of women’s sports is on the verge of exploding and sees great potential for growth in the industry.

While DC has yet to secure a women’s hockey team, the Capitals have shown their support for women’s hockey by hosting multiple events for the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). The success of these events, which have featured top players like Amanda Kessel and Hilary Knight, has fueled discussions about the expansion of women’s professional hockey.

The PWHL, the only operating women’s professional hockey league in North America, has been gaining momentum since its inaugural season in January. Record-breaking attendance numbers and successful neutral site games in cities like Pittsburgh and Detroit have highlighted the growing popularity of women’s hockey.

Leonsis’ vision for women’s sports in DC comes at a time when women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented growth and viewership. The recent women’s NCAA basketball tournament game between Iowa and LSU drew a record-breaking 12.3 million viewers, signaling a shift in the sports landscape.

As discussions about the expansion of women’s professional sports continue, the possibility of a women’s hockey team in DC is an exciting prospect for fans and players alike. With the support of Leonsis and Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the nation’s capital could soon become a hub for women’s sports at the professional level.