Committee approves bill declaring D.C. the nation’s "sports capital," directs Events DC to prepare plan

At-large Councilmember Kenya McDuffie, chair of the Council's Committee on Business and Economic Development, convened an additional committee meeting Friday, July 11, 2025, and moved approval of a committee print of a bill that would designate the District of Columbia as the "official sports capital of the United States." The committee met by Zoom and streamed the session on the Council website.

The measure, introduced Feb. 6, 2025 and referred to the committee on Feb. 18, 2025, directs the Washington Convention and Sports Authority, known as Events DC, to develop a strategic plan to promote the District under the proposed designation and to prioritize investment in youth athletic programs and partnerships. The committee print adds a formal "sense of the Council" section with detailed findings, directs funding to Events DC to support promotion and implementation of the plan, and includes additional language supporting e-sports opportunities in the District.

McDuffie said the bill "directs Events DC to develop a strategic plan to promote the District under this designation." He moved "the draft committee report and print with leave for staff to make technical, editorial and conforming changes." The motion was approved unanimously by the members present; McDuffie recorded the ayes as carrying the measure. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.

At-large Councilmember Anita Bonds praised the measure, saying it would "make clear to the public the importance of sports and our sports teams in the District of Columbia" and that the partnership with Events DC is "very, very significant" for keeping the District "at the top" in sports, entertainment and workforce development. Bonds noted she looked forward to the report Events DC is charged with preparing within 120 days.

The transcript notes the committee held a public hearing on the bill on March 20, 2025. The committee print, as described during the meeting, formalizes the District's national reputation as a sports hub intended to attract large-scale sporting events, conventions and tournaments and to prioritize youth programs. The print also directs funding to Events DC; the transcript does not specify amounts or funding sources.

The committee vote approved the committee print and gave staff leave to make technical edits. The transcript does not record a second for the motion and does not specify an exact numeric vote tally beyond noting the ayes carried unanimously of the members present. Committee members present at roll call were McDuffie, At-large Councilmember Anita Bonds and Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder; Councilmember Allen was noted as not present at the time the meeting was called to order.

The committee did not take further formal actions at the meeting. The next procedural steps (for example, scheduling before the full Council or any required budget approvals) were not specified in the recorded remarks.