Is it inevitable that the Washington Football Team will relocate to Virginia now that legal sports betting has launched in the state?
Curiosity arose among onlookers regarding how FanDuel Sportsbook managed to become the first and, for a brief period, the sole online operator in Virginia.
However, out of the 24 other sportsbook operators who had applied for the opportunity to offer legal sports bets in the Old Dominion, only one temporary permit was issued by the Virginia Lottery on the market’s official launch day. This permit was granted to Betfair Interactive US LLC, which happens to be the parent company of FanDuel.
Afterwards, officials proudly announced in press releases that the launch on January 21st signified the first-ever collaboration between an NFL team and an online sports gaming platform, granting market access to the country.
However, how does this impact Virginia and the potential for an NFL presence in the state?
FedEx Field in Virginia?
Virginia lawmakers gave special consideration to professional sports teams based in Virginia as part of their sports-betting legislation and licensing procedures. This gave FanDuel, which has a close connection with the Washington Football Team located in the affluent Ashburn suburb of Washington, DC, a significant competitive edge.
Virginia has granted dual sports-betting permits to both the WFT and FanDuel.
However, could this relationship potentially lead to a larger presence of the Washington Football Team in Virginia, such as the construction of a football stadium for the NFL team in VA?
Washington is presently hosting its home games at FedEx Field, located in Landover, Maryland. However, there are reports suggesting that the team is actively considering alternative venues once their stadium lease expires in 2027.
Alongside the team’s corporate headquarters, Virginia hosts several other facilities for WFT. One of these is the NOVA Sports Performance Center, which serves as the team’s indoor training facility in Ashburn. Moreover, the Washington team conducts its yearly training camp at the Bon Secours Training Center in Richmond, the capital of Virginia.
Playing the home games of the 2020 NFC East champions in Virginia would undeniably be a huge win. Virginia’s economy would greatly benefit from the surge in tourism and increased tax revenue.
Virginia’s good faith for WFT
Sports betting is legal in Washington, DC, but it comes with certain limitations. Maryland has also passed a law to legalize sports wagering, but it is expected that sportsbooks will not be up and running until 2022.
Both MD and DC appear reluctant to fully commit to a new stadium project for the Washington Football Team.
Virginia could potentially benefit from prioritizing WFT and FanDuel for its sports-betting launch, as it allows them to stay ahead and maintain open discussions in the long run.
According to Del. Mark Sickles, a strong advocate for sports betting in Virginia, he clarified that no agreements have been reached with the team. However, Sickles mentioned in his conversation with Richmond.com:
“It demonstrates our good faith.”
The probability of catching the interest of WFT owner Dan Snyder is quite high.
A sports betting-friendly NFL owner
In 2020, Snyder, a controversial figure within the NFL, sought the favor of Virginia legislators to acquire a sports betting license. Additionally, he inquired about the feasibility of establishing a physical sportsbook within a potential Virginia stadium.
The owner of the WFT was evidently exploring options to determine where his team could secure the most favorable deal.
Currently, Virginia possesses numerous advantageous factors.
- The NFL team that is most favored in Virginia is Washington.
- There are no other major league professional sports teams in Virginia.
- Virginia has recently legalized sports betting, and in the upcoming weeks, additional operators will be joining the online platform.
Snyder has been open about his readiness to relocate the team’s home games to a different stadium if the right chance arises. Lately, the discussions regarding favorable conditions have primarily revolved around sports-betting ventures.
Similar to his counterparts in the NFL, Snyder recognized the immense potential of sports betting, a previously stigmatized activity within the league. Realizing its undeniable profitability, he embraced this opportunity. As a result, Virginia aspires to leverage this newfound revenue stream in order to attract an NFL team to their proposed new stadium.
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