Youngkin: 'We'd sure like to have a professional football team in Virginia'

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin told reporters on Thursday that he would "sure like to have a professional football team in Virginia."

Youngkin was asked to elaborate on his past comments regarding professional sports in the commonwealth.

"I do think that we should expand the baseball commission to be a baseball and football stadium commission. And we of course, will always represent Virginia taxpayers but I think we'd sure like to have a professional football team in Virginia," Youngkin said after promoting his plan to eliminate the grocery tax during a tour of a local Safeway in Alexandria.

"As we work through the legislation to expand that authority to include football, and we always recognize we will, of course, protect the best interests of Virginia taxpayers, I'm enthusiastic to engage to see where this goes," he added.

Youngkin also revealed that he has spoken with Dan Snyder, owner of the Washington Football Team, which was recently renamed the Washington Commanders, to better "understand his aspirations."

"I'm hopeful that Virginia might be a good place for him," he said. "I'm going to watch after Virginia taxpayers' interests and to make sure that Virginia taxpayers' interests are well represented."

Youngkin emphasized that he's not a "politician by history." He was the former CEO of the Carlyle Group prior to being elected governor.

"I've got a 30 year business career and I think I'm pretty well positioned to represent Virginia taxpayers' interests here," he said. "I think that there's a real decision that's going to be made around the best place to position the future of that football team. And I sure hope it comes to Virginia."