The billionaire owner of Washington, DC’s NHL and NBA teams has decided to move their home base to Virginia seemingly due to a child’s loud rapping.
Ted Leonsis announced last month that he will be moving the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards out of its current home – Capital One Arena in downtown DC – to a newly developed arena in the DC suburb of Alexandria, Virginia.
Virginia State lawmakers have approved the funding and the plans to build an arena in the city’s Potomac Yard Neighborhood, according to the Washington Post.
Despite the mayor announcing a $500 million funding for a renovation of Capital One Arena, many believe that the reason for the movie is due to the blaring loud music outside his office caused by a man and two kids.
Ted Leonsis announced that he will be moving the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards out of its current home – Capital One Arena in downtown DC – to a newly developed arena in the DC suburb of Alexandria, Virginia
After more than 25 years at Capital One Arena, the teams could leave for Alexandria, Virginia
Despite the mayor announcing a $500 million funding for a renovation of Capital One Arena, many believe that the reason for the movie is due to the blaring loud music outside his office caused by a man and two kids
David Halmon, his 11-year-old son J-Money and his other son have been rapping in front of the arena at ear-splitting volume, using a pair of loudspeakers and an amplifier, causing issues for residents and businesses in the area for the last seven years.
Howard Marks, who lives in a condo building in the area, told the Washington Post that he paid more than $6,000 to soundproof his unit.
Before deciding to do so, he said he and his partner ‘could hardly watch TV or could hardly talk to each other without raising our voices.’
However, Halmon told the Post that ‘they tried to drive us out’ and that Leonsis offered him a deal ‘to not be right here’ but he did not agree.
David Halmon, his 11-year-old son J-Money and his other son have been rapping in front of their arena at earsplitting volume, using a pair of loudspeakers and an amplifier, causing issues for residents and businesses in the area for the last seven years
The children’s rapping can be heard not just on the street but within the walls of nearby buildings as well
In early December, the father was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
He was sent to jail for a couple of weeks and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug-possession charge, which local described as a ‘period of welcome quiet.’
He was sentenced to 90 days’ probation, but by late December, the shows had resumed on the streets.
In June 2020, Maryland police charged Halmon with a criminal summons including charges of disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct.
At the time, one complainant told the police that the ‘music was so loud that he could not hear himself think.’
As a result, Halmon received six months of unsupervised probation.
Leonsis had begun to ‘grow frustrated with the area around the arena. He was particularly bothered by buskers, who played loud music outside his office’ over the years.
His company denies that the loud noise is the reason the company has decided to move
According to the Post, Leonsis had begun to ‘grow frustrated with the area around the arena. He was particularly bothered by buskers, who played loud music outside his office’ over the years.
But Leonsis’ company denies that the loud noise is the reason the company has decided to move.
Monica Dixon, president of external affairs and chief administrative officer for Monumental, said the noise ‘never factored’ into the company’s decision to explore a move to Virginia.
‘That is completely false and we entirely reject every inference implied. Ted has been tremendously supportive of music downtown and will continue to be,’ she said.
Monumental’s lease for the building expires in 2027, and they intend to make the move by 2028.