Washington Capitals: D.C. getting it wrong with not letting fans back in
For those hoping to attend a Washington Capitals home game in person this season, it’s looking more and more doubtful by the day.
Monumental Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns both the Capitals and Washington Wizards, believe both teams will complete their respective regular seasons without fans based on what went down from Monday’s Mayor press conference.
D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser said on Monday that Monumental’s waiver for fans to attend Caps and Wizards games at 10 percent capacity is still pending. There is no definitive timeline on when a decision will be made but don’t count on seeing either team before the regular season ends.
The Caps regular season will end on May 11 with the Stanley Cup playoffs beginning a few days later. The Wizards, who are fighting for a playoff spot but are unlikely to make it, will end their season on May 16.
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Ted Leonsis, the owner of both teams, took to social media to express his disappointment in the city. Leonsis tweeted:
“All of us (at Monumental) are disappointed with the city’s failure to grant our waiver allowing fans to attend (Capitals and Wizards) games this season. Our staff have worked tirelessly putting in place numerous infrastructure upgrades and health and safety protocols to protect fans and staff.”
Monica Dixon, Monumental’s chief administrative officer and president of external affairs, released this statement:
"“We have articulated to District officials the numerous infrastructure upgrades and health and safety protocols we have in place to protect fans and staff — which adhere to the guidance issued by the WHO, CDC, DC Health, the NBA & NHL, and with consultation of MedStar Health. We will continue to work with the District to understand the metrics we must meet to obtain a waiver that will allow us to operate as safely as possible with a reasonable number of fans in the building.”"
The Chicago Blackhawks are the only other American NHL team with no definitive plans on allowing fans back. All seven Canadiens teams aren’t permitted to have fans.
I think this whole thing is ridiculous. It’s embarrassing being the only team in the MassMutual East Division to not have fans. I thought D.C. was better during the pandemic. I thought we were doing our part in wearing our masks. Even Pittsburgh has fans and they even photoshopped masks on them.
Hopefully like the Nats, who are having fans at their Opening Day game today, Bowser can change her mind. If not, we are the last American city to have fans at games for indoor sports. But the main goal around here, besides winning another Cup, is to get fans back in time for the playoffs.
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The Caps are nothing without us as fans and it’s no doubt they miss us rocking the red on 7th and F street. It’s up to the city on when they can grant Monumental their waiver. In the meantime, all we can do is cross our fingers and wash our hands.