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Monumental Sports urges a vending‑free zone around arena, cites counterfeit sales and patron safety
Summary
Monumental Sports & Entertainment testified that unlicensed vendors along the Capital One Arena perimeter sell counterfeit merchandise and create security and tax‑revenue concerns; the company said its security team can assist enforcement and indicated interest in serving as a vending‑zone manager under certain conditions.
Crispus Gordon, vice president for government relations and strategic affairs at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, told the committee that unlicensed vendors near Capital One Arena sell counterfeit merchandise and sometimes harass patrons, harming both visitor experience and tax revenue. Gordon urged the committee to include measures in final legislation to allow confiscation of counterfeit materials and removal of individuals from arena perimeters.
Gordon said Monumental's security team is willing to coordinate with MPD or a designee to identify illegal vendors but does not want confrontations; he said the company would "probably look at" acting as an official vending zone manager under B26‑332 but emphasized the arena perimeter is a distinct context from Columbia Heights.
