Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis told WTOP-FM he's looking to build a smaller practice facility for the team than previously reported, and is open to a suburban location.
Earlier this month, News4's Mark Segraves first reported city leaders were hoping to bring a 5,000-seat practice facility to the Shaw neighborhood. The facility would cost between $30 million and $40 million.
Tuesday, Leonsis told WTOP the Shaw location is not the "preferred area" he's looking to build what he's now calling a 1,500-seat facility.
"We're looking at multiple places," Leonsis said. "Developers are reaching out to us, communities are reaching out to us. It could be anywhere. Could be in Maryland, in Virginia or D.C."
Leonsis said he wants the Wizards facility to be much like the Washington Capitals practice facility in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington County.
He added he wants to build the facility in an area that's welcoming to the Wizards. In the days following reports of a possible Shaw location, residents said they'd be upset about their neighborhood housing the facility.
"We would want to build something that everyone is supportive of," Leonsis said. "When you go to Ballston, the community is really proud of what we've built. It's become a gathering place."
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The possible Shaw location currently houses a popular dog park and skate park, as well as the old Shaw Middle School. City leaders had budgeted more than $50 million to build a new school at the same site -- plans that could be scrapped if the Wizards move in.
Leonsis told WTOP he would prefer a downtown location for the facility, but said he's open to expanding to the suburbs. He said it should take about two years for the facility to be built.
