Tag Archives: Washington DC

Piling On

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I call these articles “piling on.”

They are smug.

They are easy to write. They actually offend our fans more than they do me.

And they are ones that I keep and then reference in the out years to remind the writers of their naiveté and lack of substance. We use them, too, as motivation.

Here are some basic facts.

The Washington Wizards have a great fan base.

We have reactivated them in big numbers.

We are one of the fastest growing teams in the NBA in terms of PAID admissions.

Our ticket sales and sponsorship revenues are up more than 30% year over year. Our customer satisfaction levels are quite strong. Our renewal rates will be much better than the past 3 years.

Our losses because of great management are down substantially while we have cleared cap space and over indexed on young players that give us hope and upside and the ability to compete in out years with other markets for players to help us to win.

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How Many People Have Heard Me Encourage…

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Folks to go to the National Archives right here in our own city?

And see the Declaration of Independence?

And look at the unedited phrase “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”? The Archives is truly a national treasure. I fell over when I saw a letter to the President asking for a dollar from a Cuban teenager, none other than Fidel Castro!

I am proud that the San Jose Sharks took the tour. This is such a great way to enjoy a road trip.

Todd McLellan is a good man. Recently the Sharks were in Philly and they went to the UPenn gym – named after a good friend David Pottruck – to work out. My son was in the gym lifting; met the coach; and they had a very nice chat about hockey and the league and our teams.

Read this story. Well done Washington Post. Thank you!

A Wonderful Moment

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A wonderful scene.

George Washington University honors our new Mayor at last night’s men’s basketball game. Read this story. Amazing!

A great man. A great message.

We are fortunate that our Mayor is a fan of all things related to athletics and youth.

He understands the higher calling represented in competition.

Sports helped make our Mayor the man that he is today.

Mayor Gray has been very enthusiastic in support of all our teams and he is the driving force behind several high school basketball tournaments in the city. He rocks on the softball fields as well, I hear.

And he and I had a wonderful moment once at a Washington Mystics game where we both had the opportunity to sit at center court with President Obama.

We are all looking forward to working with him and his staff.

The Mayor understands the double bottom line nature of athletics.

Let us all work together with our new Mayor to help make Washington DC the greatest city on earth. Ladies and gentleman, our new Mayor…Mr. Vincent Gray.

Grateful But NOT Deserving

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I was shocked to see myself on this list.

I have no idea why I am on this list.

I am grateful.

But I don’t feel influential or powerful. I would grade us and me with an “incomplete”!

All I want to do of late is have one of our team’s win a game at Verizon Center.

Thank you for the recognition. I am humbled. It is so great to see DC so well represented on this list as well. Thank you.

The Gray Era

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We have a coming change in the political landscape in Washington, DC.

All of us at Monumental Sports and Entertainment have gotten to know Vincent Gray quite well.

I know him to be a genuine sports fan.

He plays softball actively.

He worked hard to bring high school basketball championship games to Verizon Center.

He was always the lead in recognizing the Washington Capitals for their work and recent success. He personally gave Alex Ovechkin the key to the city.

Vince attended a Mystics game this summer and he was able to meet President Obama. I was happy to make that introduction.

Gray is in!

Let us be respectful and hopeful and upbeat and support him once the final election is held.