I have now read more than 2000 emails from my Wizards, Caps, and personal accounts related to the Wizards. I have also been reading message boards, blog comments, and media reports.
I also have started to call some Wizards fans to talk and have scheduled many meetings. I held a 2000 person conference call on Friday with Wizards customers, and tonight I will host 500 plus former Wizards season ticket holders at the Verizon Center.
I am serious about listening, interacting, and learning. We will NOT be defensive about anything. We will listen and hope to act and fix all issues so you can embrace our team and become passionate fans.
I plan to publish “101 things to do to help you fall in love with the new Wizards” list soon.
At present, I thought I would publish just a quick synopsis of some of the concerns and ideas that have been sent my way. Thank you. We are all grateful that you care so much. Here is a sample, but not in any particular order.
Here you go…
Play more organ music at the games.
Reset the lighting.
Retrain the staff to be more sensitive to game dynamics.
Delete “Defense” chants.
Play less loud music during the games — want to hear the sneakers on the floor.
Redo game presentations to be more family oriented.
Make cheerleading squad more family oriented.
Change colors for team uniforms.
Consider name change of team.
Paint the stairs.
Announcers to be more professional and less “cheerleaders.”
Improve security outside of building.
Many more season ticket holder benefits.
Consistency in pricing — don’t discount tickets next to me.
Colder beer and more choices for beer.
Kosher food.
Vegetarian fare on menu.
More vendors come into stands to service customers.
Refill the ketchup.
Refill the mustard.
Clean the bathrooms more in game.
Windex the mirrors.
Make sure toilet paper is refilled during games.
Make sure paper towels are refilled during games.
More Wizards history evident in building.Want to see more alumni at games.
Want more web analytics made available — don’t be afraid to publish stats.
Want more access to players.
Market more in Baltimore.
Market more in Virginia.
More youth basketball tie-in.
Continue Pollin legacy for charitable efforts.
Open the second floor to all fans.
Paint and freshen up the building.
Clean the windows.
Stop the scalping.
Help customers resell tickets they can’t use via online services.
Create cross team sales packages — all three teams.
Create GM online blog.
Create coaches online blog.
Find a way to open some practice sessions.
Create more and better merchandising options.
Consistency in team structure and rebuild.
Commit to draft and develop young players.
Work on infrastructure for health and well being of players.
Re-embrace Gilbert Arenas.
Don’t trade your first round picks.
Add more first round picks.
Owners must sit in stands.
Owner must sit in seats on top level to meet fans.
Owner must meet and greet fans.
Owner must read and respond to emails.
Fresher hot dog buns.
Manage crowd control at vending stations in an improved format.
Communicate the rebuild plan — stick to it.
New clothing for in-game employees.
Do deals with local merchants to help fans save money.
Embrace the blogosphere.
Sign free agents.
Make the playoffs.
Win a championship.
The list goes on and on and on.
This is a very healthy process for us all. We will continue to listen and publish to do lists.
We will do our best to show how much we care.
Keep those emails a coming. I look forward to our interactions.
I hope you will support us.
Betty White is Great I truly hope she decides to do more than 10 episodes. I can’t wait until the calendar comes out in Sept it will be awesome.
Ted, this is great to hear. I really get the impression that if every fan wanted the players in skirts you’d be out there in a tutu with them. You should never be afraid to revisit any detail to strive to make it better. Honestly, I haven’t loved pro bball since the first NBA Jam game but as an expatriate Washingtonian, I follow local sports rabidly. I really want the franchise to succeed and draw back in fans just like myself. Best possible model to follow: The Caps
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Change the nickname/mascot. You will not build a loyal and committed following like the Redsox, Packers, Bears or even the Cleveland Browns with a nickname that has no local ties to the area. I mean my god why isn’t the team called the senators, republic, or something local based?
Please bring Gilbert back. He was terrific for the Wizards in so many ways. He made a mistake, paid his dues, now lets get him back on the court at Verizon!
I can’t stress the name/color change enough. Obviously I want it back to the Bullets with Red/White/Blue but anything will be a step up from the Wizards name/colors.
Also want to agree with toning down the music and distractions during the game.
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Congrats and we’re grateful to have you as the new Wiz owner. I was pumped up reading some of your blog entries in the direction we’reheading and went to the Wiz homepage to lookup season tix and clicked on the “Buy Now” link for the new Rookie Class package. What do I get? The Dreaded “Page Not Found” on the ticketmaster website. Pretty disappointing!
Consider initiating an outside evaluation of the medical staff. Every injury seemed to have a longer than expected recovery and players frequently were reinjured after returning before they had healed. I have no statistics to suggest that Wizards players were injured more often, for longer periods, or were more frequently reinjured. It is merely my perception from having followed the team closely for the past 10 years.
The medical staff would not necessarily be at fault for the Wizards players being more injury-prone than other teams’ players; however, I think it would be sensible to include this sort of outside evaluation of the medical staff as a natural part of the comprehensive assessment of the organization that takes places whenever there is a change in ownership.
From what I hear, the Phoenix Suns have the premier medical staff in the NBA and might be a good model to emulate.
I am very glad you are here, Ted. Your model of going with the kids and building for the future is absolutely the best strategy.
This means more first round picks. It also means that you don’t sign the old vets, no matter how “safe” they make a team feel. I hope the Wizards do not sign Joe Johnson, Josh Howard, Mike Miller and the other old timers. I would rather take a chance on a kid with upside. For example, if the Heat want to unload a disgruntled Michael Beasley in exchange for a Wizard vet, then that is the type of trade I like–even if Beasley does not pan out all that well. That would be better than signing Josh Howard, even though Josh could still help a contender for a year or two.
regarding: Announcers to be more professional and less “cheerleaders.”
hopefully this is in regards to PA announcers? TV announcers are one of the few existing bright spots. Phil and Buck do an outstanding job, we’re very fortunate to have such good play by play. i think its on par or even exceeding the call for network/national coverage.
Thanks for all you have done for the Caps, and I’m really looking forward to your stewardship of the Wizards.