Ted's been approved, it's official!

[keynote]

Ted on Gil: "[Gilbert and I] have had several conversations . . . it's important that Gilbert be re-embraced."
"His major deliverable is to be a great part of this next generation Wizards franchise."

"We communicate very well, he knows the expectations, and I kinda like him."

[keynote]

"It's not a secret that I'm partial to red. And, we are the nation's capital." "And, at some point...we can go back to more traditional colors."

[keynote]

Ted also gave Flip/Ernie props for how the Wizards use "technology" effectively. Was he referring to stat analytics, or iPod play books?

[keynote]

"I don't want to go after any free agent [that] we don't think we can get, just to make the news."

[closg00]

Press conference over, as-predicted, no hard questions were asked, and much of what he said is known by us geeks.

*Ted is listening to Wiz season ticket-holders and is answering email inquiries.
*Ted believes in young NEW players for building
*Ted is meeting with Wiz employees
* The number #1 thing that people are asking him about is changing the name (not happening)
* More Gilbert talk, nothing new was said

If he really answers email, I guess I will have to ask him the question that the reporters failed to ask.

* What would you like to see done differently in the FO now that you are the owner?
* How or will you use the D-League?
* Will the Wizards hire a big-man coach?
* How will player development be improved under his ownership?


I

[montestewart]

Leonsis blog: http://www.tedstake.com/

Leonsis email: TheWashWiz (AT) aol.com

Leonsis is also doing a Wizards Fan Forum Teleconference (moderated by Dave Johnson) tomorrow.

He sure is accessible.

[Hoopalotta]

I don't know that I'm entirely jiving with how a red (and presumably white and blue too) color scheme is going to work with the moniker Wizards.

I don't know, if we're not going with some kind of patriotic rebranding, I don't see the point in those colors.

Give me the Washington Graft

I think that's something we could all get behind.

[willbcocks]

Just go with the Washington Red Tape. The best part is our cheerleaders can wear taped on body suits...

[Ruzious]

For those who didn't get a similar e-mail from Ted, here's a sample of his unique brand of awesomeness:

Open Letter To Wizards Fans‏
From: Ted Leonsis (WIZARDSPROMOTIONS@WASHSPORTS.COM)
Sent: Thu 6/10/10 3:25 PM
To:




Open Letter to Washington Wizards Fans
June 10, 2010


Dear Ruz,

Today, as we finalize our purchase of the Washington Wizards, is a day that my partners and I are very excited about. But we also know that this is just a small step in our pursuit of our ultimate goal – to bring an NBA championship to Washington, D.C.
That is a lofty goal and an important one for which to strive. We have prepared for this day, and I hope that you will see in our new company, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, a strategic and unrelenting pursuit of that goal.

We can expect some early “wins” – the NBA Draft on June 24 will be an exciting day for the franchise as we were fortunate enough to win the lottery and we choose first. However, reaching that ultimate goal of a championship requires patience. There is no quick answer, no button any of us can push to produce a winner. I believe, however, that the Wizards’ future is bright, and we enter this endeavor having learned a lot about what it takes to build a championship-caliber team and a team built to last.

It will require a group effort. I consider a sports team a public trust, and we will only reach our goals with the cooperation of our fans, staff, corporate partners and players. We have no better partners than our season-ticket holders. I look forward to getting to know you personally and all of our fans, engaging with them and understanding their concerns. One of the first things we did with the Washington Capitals was to listen intently and then take earnest, meaningful steps to improve the fan experience at our games. With your feedback, we plan to do the same with the Wizards.

I will be open, accessible and honest with our fans – I believe in transparency. This won’t be the last you hear from me, whether it be in the media, on my blog http://www.tedstake.com/ or via email TheWashWiz@aol.com, and you can expect consistent communication from my partners and our staff as well. We are in this together; it promises to be a memorable journey.

Thank you in advance for your support of our efforts. We are humbled by this great opportunity. We hope to make you proud.

Sincerely,

Ted Leonsis

[fishercob]

I love Ted Leonsis.

[montestewart]

^
Leonsis and Wizards management seem to reassure that they won't trade away #1 and risk passing on a possibly rare talent like Wall, but at the same time acknowledge the other talent in this draft and the lengths they will go (other than trading #1) to get more talent for the future this year. There is almost immediately more transparency than I have ever seen with this franchise, and the above letter reiterates much of what has already been written about Leonsis' approach.

[Rafael122]

I got the same e-mail. Don't feel too special, you got it if you have purchased a ticket to a game.

[Ruzious]

I got the same e-mail. Don't feel too special, you got it if you have purchased a ticket to a game.

Don't worry, Raffy - I had no delusions - especially since that's the only way Uncle Ted & co could have my e-mail address.

Full disclosure: He didn't really say Ruz. The name was changed to protect the guilty. But that's the only thing I edited.

[Rafael122]

It's the thought that counts though. Hopefully with him on board, we'll have a better marketing team because it was bad during the Pollin era. Caps and Nats have rock the red. What do the Wizards have?

[jminkoff]

Wizards Fan Forum Teleconference
Date: Friday, June 11
Time: 10am-11am
Special Guest: Ted Leonsis
Call in Number: 1-877-269-7289 PIN: 15011

[dobrojim]

Not that I was on the fence or anything but I am so impressed listening
to the conference.

They just took a call from a guy who is a season tix holder to the Caps,
Wizards and Mystics. Ted was truly humbled by the guy and asked that
he contact the team (after the call) so he could meet him.

All I got to say is WOW!

I am so glad and grateful to be a season tix holder. I have a feeling this
is going to work out /really/ well.

[dobrojim]

I love Ted Leonsis.

+10^2

[barelyawake]

They are going to have more of these. Someone needs to get through to him and express the joke that our medical staff has become. I also would like to hear him address the importance of defense in winning championships. I heart Ted and have been waiting for decades for the curse to be lifted upon his arrival.

[Rafael122]

E-mail him. Seriously. I'm sure he'll get to it eventually. I wish I can do it now, but I'm at work, but that's the first thing that came to mind is our medical staff. Phoenix has a world class medical staff. You could argue they are responsible for extending Grant Hill's career. I believe Detroit also has a world class medical staff. If your star player gets hurt, you want to feel comfortable knowing he's in good hands, not whether your medical staff will mis-diagnose him.

[keynote]

I love Ted Leonsis.

+10^2

Agreed. I'm developing a serious mancrush on Ted. He makes me wanna shoop.