Washington, D.C

Kevin Blackistone Calls Washington Wizards, Capitals Plan To Move Out Of D.C. ‘Uncomfortable’ Due To ‘Demographics’

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2023

Kevin Blackistone Calls Washington Wizards, Capitals Plan To Move Out Of D.C. ‘Uncomfortable’ Due To ‘Demographics’

The Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals are moving to northern Virginia in the coming years.

Multiple reports Tuesday revealed that CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment and owner Ted Leonsis is set to move both teams to a new arena and associated entertainment district. That was then confirmed by a Wednesday morning press conference with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Leonsis.

Leonsis and Youngkin explained that they intend to work together to “create a world-class Entertainment District in Alexandria at Potomac Yard, pending legislative approval and completion of definitive documents.”

“When we first came out here and I saw 70 acres and the ability to start with a clean slate,” Leonsis continued, “and imagine what would an arena 30 years from now need to be built and be served, and to build a digital-first experience, it really is a very, very romantic but also pragmatic vision that we have, that we can’t do anywhere else. This place for people is one-of-a-kind.”

Monumental Sports & Entertainment had previously asked D.C. to give them $600 million to rework Capital One Arena.

READ: WASHINGTON SPORTS TEAM OWNERS WANT D.C. TO GIVE THEM $600 MILLION TO FIX CAPITAL ONE ARENA

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 12: A general view of the exterior of Capital One Arena after the Detroit Red Wings against the Washington Capitals NHL game was postponed due to the coronavirus at Capital One Arena on March 12, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Washington D.C. Loses Out Again

The move is a significant blow to the D.C. sports scene, with the Wizards and Capitals sent to leave town for greener, less dangerous pastures.

The nation’s capital has seen a dramatic increase in crime, though of course Leonsis didn’t mention that in his press conference or statement. Even the NBC 4 Washington report described the downtown D.C area as “struggling with crime.”

Kevin Blackistone, frequent ESPN panelist, professor and sportswriter panned the move on X though, because to him the “demographics” south across the river make him “very uncomfortable.”

The criticism from Blackistone seems to be that because the team is moving to a safer area in a nicer part of northern Virginia, that makes them racist? If he was so concerned that the “demographics” in Alexandria are “uncomfortable,” meaning, that it has too many white people for his taste, perhaps he should have advocated that D.C. do something about the rampant crime wave sweeping the city.

But that would also make him “very uncomfortable” because it would mean criticizing his political ideology. Instead it’s much easier to engage in lazy racism.

Bowser has been an abject disaster as mayor of D.C., from her handling of Black Lives Matter protests and violence, to her defund the police rhetoric, tolerance for crime, to now letting the Wizards and Capitals get away. But Blackistone’s ire is with the fact that too many white people may live near to the new arena complex.

Never blame those who created the problem, blame those looking for a solution. Perfection.

Imagine too if those same concerns were levied by a white sportswriter towards an arena and entertainment district being built inside a city with the opposite demographic composition. The calls for cancellation from the online sports left; Blackistone himself most assuredly, would be deafening.

But this is a consistent trend from him, after previously demanding MLB move spring training out of Florida because he disagreed with Ron DeSantis. No matter what “demographics” would be hurt by such a move.

READ: WASHINGTON POST PUBLISHES INSANE OP-ED SAYING MLB SHOULD MOVE SPRING TRAINING OUT OF FLORIDA BECAUSE OF RON DESANTIS

Capitals, Wizards Move To Virginia A Massive Win For Virginia Under Glenn Youngkin

Instead of staying in an older arena in a crumbling city, the Washington teams will move to a brand new facility with several mixed use components that make the site even more appealing. According to NBC 4, the development plans include a shared arena, new Monumental corporate headquarters, media studio, practice facility, performing arts venue and an “expanded esports facility.”

“This is the most visionary sports and entertainment development in the world, bringing together entertainment, sports, and technology in the most advanced innovation corridor in the United States: a once-in-a-generation and historic development for the Commonwealth, sports fans, and all Virginians,” Youngkin said in a statement. “The Commonwealth will now be home to two professional sports teams, a new corporate headquarters, and over 30,000 new jobs – this is monumental.”

It’s yet another victory for Glenn Youngkin, showing the value of being a business friendly jurisdiction as opposed to the lawlessness overwhelming D.C. No wonder his approval rating in Virginia remains consistently high.

Mayor Muriel Bowser issued what she described as “our best and final offer” to keep the two teams “where they belong – in Washington, D.C.” Though given the scope and scale of the plan in Arlington, a last minute push to keep them seems unlikely.

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Washington, D.C

NBC Journalist Who Was Beloved in D.C. Dead At 62

Published

2 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

NBC Journalist Who Was Beloved in D.C. Dead At 62

Viewers and media industry professionals alike are sharing tributes to Derrick Ward, a longtime Washington, D.C., television journalist who died Tuesday at age 62.

Ward’s death followed complications from a recent cardiac arrest and was confirmed Wednesday by NBC 4 Washington (WRC-TV), where he’d been employed since 2006.

“Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community,” Ward’s family told the outlet in a statement that was shared during Wednesday’s broadcast. “As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.”

As of Thursday afternoon, news of Ward’s passing had drawn an outpouring of condolences online.

“Stunned to hear of his passing. Watched that great man for over two decades tell some riveting stories all with class, respect, and precision,” podcaster Lee Sanders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Well diverse and extremely talented man. Thoughts to his friends, family and colleagues. Not a good start to 2025.”

Watch an NBC 4 report on Derrick Ward’s death below.

Fox 5 DC journalist Tom Fitzgerald felt similarly, describing Ward as “one of the most pleasant people I’ve ever spent time with.”

“I’ll miss the graciousness, professionalism, kindness and glowing smile of this true gentleman,” he wrote on X. “Peace to his family, friends & NBC 4 colleagues.”

A Washington, D.C., native, Ward began his journalism career in radio, where he covered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the D.C. sniper shootings of 2003, among other major stories. He then transitioned to television reporting when he landed a gig at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York.

Appearing on the “Architecture Is Political” podcast in 2020, Ward recalled how his love of storytelling inspired him to pursue a career in journalism.

“I want to tell the stories of this town that I grew up in,” he said. “I like doing things that can resonate with somebody ― if you can say something or write something somewhere and it just gets someone’s attention or whatever point you’re trying to make gets off and they can say, ‘Hmmm’ or ‘Uh huh.’ It’s the same reason that people do music and other things, I guess, is to look for that resonance.”

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In addition to his professional background, Ward was known as an avid golfer and guitar player. He is survived by his three children: Derrick Jr., Ian and Marisa.

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Washington, D.C

Suburban family coordinated Jimmy Carter's Washington D.C. funeral: 'It was really beautiful'

Published

10 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Suburban family coordinated Jimmy Carter's Washington D.C. funeral: 'It was really beautiful'

WASHINGTON (WLS) — The public funeral celebrating former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy was coordinated by a family that hails from the Chicago suburbs.

Rick Jasculca, a Chicago public affairs executive, worked for and with Carter for years, and considered him family.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

It was a somber day that included stories of Carter that brought laughs, as well as tears.

Thursday was a national day of mourning to honor and remember Carter; President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy.

“Throughout his life he showed us what it means to be a practitioner of good works, a good and faithful servant of God and of the people,” Biden said.

The gathering was a time for the nation to come together, to put aside politics and join the Carter family in remembering the legacy of the 39th president.

“They were small town people who never forgot who they were and where they were from, no matter what happened in their lives,” grandson Jason Carter said.

Jasculca worked on Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, and did advance work when Carter became president.

He later joined his daughters, Lauren and Aimee, and son, Andrew, working with the Carter Center.

The four family members served as overall coordinators of the ceremony Thursday in Washington, D.C.

Jasculca reflected on the ceremony before returning to Chicago.

“It was really beautiful. You know, I think it really captured the totality of Jimmy Carter,” Jasculca said.

It was a sentiment echoed often during Thursday’s ceremony.

“He had the courage and strength to stick to his principals, even when they were politically unpopular,” Jason Carter said.

Jasculca considered Carter a second father, who became dear to his entire family.

“My grandkids call me ‘Bop’; that’s their name for me. And they call President Carter ‘Bop Jimmy,’” Jasculca said.

Jasculca said, during their ceremony, he had a few moments. But, the emotions really hit him after.

“But, when we got to Andrews Air Force Base, and I knew this was the last time, you know, I’d be able to say goodbye, I just I, I’ll be honest, I bust out crying on the tarmac,” Jasculca said.

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Washington, D.C

Jimmy Carter’s life honored at funeral in Washington, DC

Published

18 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Jimmy Carter’s life honored at funeral in Washington, DC

Former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy will be honored with a national day of mourning and a state funeral at the National Cathedral Thursday where family, friends and fellow leaders will pay their respects. TODAY’s Craig Melvin reports from Washington, D.C.

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