Washington Capitals Owner

The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington D.C. Presently, they compete in the NHL under the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference. The Capitals play their home games at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington and were founded in 1974.

The team struggled initially but saw significant improvement in later years. With players like Mike Gartner and Rod Langway, they became playoff regulars for fourteen seasons from 1983–1996. However, they won their first and only Stanley Cup in the 2017-18 season, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Capitals. They also have two Conference Championships, and 13 Division Championships to their name. Capitals recently completed their 50th NHL season in the 2023-2024 season and qualified for the playoffs for the 34th time in their history.

Furthermore, they have two minor league affiliations in the form of the Hershey Bears (AHL) and South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).

Washington Capitals Owners

The Washington Capitals are owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Ted Leonsis, the owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment acquired the Capitals in the 1999-2000 season for $85 million. The company also controls the operation of various professional sports teams including the NBA's Washington Wizards, the WNBA's Washington Mystics, and the NBA G League's Capital City Go-Go.

The Capitals was founded in 1972 as an NHL expansion team. Initially owned by Abe Pollin, who also held the majority of shares of the NBA's Washington Bullets/Wizards. Pollin wanted to extend the sports in Washington beyond basketball, leading him to acquire an expansion franchise for the city in the NHL. Moreover, the Capitals debuted in the 1974-75 season.

How much did the Washington Capitals sell for?

Ted Leonsis purchased the Washington Capitals for $85 million in 1999. Since then, the team has seen substantial growth, reaching a total value of $1.6 billion as of 2024. The growth reflects the team's success both on and off the ice. Notably, the Capitals generated $218 million and an operating income of $74 million for the 2022-23 season. They have also managed their finances well, maintaining a low debt-to-value ratio of 12%.

Remarkably, the team has spent around $77 million on the salaries and expenses of its players and collected $85 million from gate receipts. Their gate receipts reflect the popularity of the team and its players among the fans. Situated in a metro area with a population of 6.4 million, the team benefits from a sizable fan base. Moreover, Leonsis will invest $515 million in arena modernization to increase the fan experience.