Monumental Sports & Entertainment executive leadership team convenes for events at iconic global financial business location on Wall Street
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), one of the nation’s leading integrated sports, media, and entertainment companies, will hold its business executive leadership team meeting at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Monumental is the first privately held sports and media company of its scale to host an event of this kind at Nasdaq, representing a significant milestone in its strategic development.
Hosted in the heart of the global financial ecosystem, the engagement will convene senior executives from across MSE’s assets and holdings for strategic working sessions and meetings with leaders. The company will also activate Monumental’s brand across Nasdaq’s iconic digital billboards in Times Square.
“Our team is aligned around one bold vision: to be the most innovative, influential, and valuable sports and entertainment company in the world,” said Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “We are proud to operate the most powerful venue globally in sports and entertainment, as one of the most highly valued sports media enterprises anywhere in the world. Our engagement at Nasdaq reflects not only the ambition and dedication of our executive leadership team and staff, but also the momentum we are building for future growth. As we continue our corporate expansion and positioning, this moment represents another step in the work we are doing to create a platform with global reach, deep cultural relevance, and enduring business impact.”
The daylong engagement will focus on Monumental’s continued investments in sports team development, media network innovation, venue transformation, fan engagement, and social impact. The company has recently expanded its portfolio through strategic partnerships, award-winning youth sports programs, and groundbreaking digital content experiences, generating recurring revenue sectors and adding value across all of its business verticals. Recent initiatives include:
Strategic Alliance with ViewLift: MSE has formed a strategic alliance with ViewLift to enhance broadcast and streaming solutions for professional sports teams. This collaboration aims to leverage advanced technology to deliver superior fan experiences and help sports organizations take control of their media future after MSE bought back its local media rights and created its flagship regional sports network, Monumental Sports Network (MNMT).
Investment in Women’s Sports Platforms: In June 2025, MSE closed a significant investment in The IX and its women’s basketball vertical, The Next, underscoring its commitment to advancing women’s sports by providing resources to expand coverage and visibility in this underrepresented sector.
Partnership with Cisco: MSE recently unveiled a transformative new partnership, through which Cisco’s best-in-class technology solutions will help to create a uniquely connected, next-generation experience for fans at MSE’s new arena. Cisco will bring technological innovation to support MSE’s vision for the iconic new Capital One Arena, part of the $1 billion sports entertainment district transformation in downtown Washington, D.C.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment has been recognized nationally and across the sports industry for its leadership in media innovation, workplace culture, and fan engagement. These honors reflect the organization’s innovation, talent and continued momentum on its commitment to setting a new standard of excellence across sports, entertainment, and content creation. Recent awards include:
Leaders Sports Awards Finalists: MSE and its teams were recently recognized with multiple shortlist honors in the 2025 Leaders Sports Awards, spotlighting Monumental’s excellence in entertainment experience, broadcasting and behind-the-scenes leadership on the global stage.
ESPN Sports Humanitarian Award Honor: In July 2025, MSE’s youth sports initiative, “District of Play,” was named a finalist for the 2025 Corporate Community Impact Award as part of ESPN’s prestigious ESPY Awards week – highlighting Monumental’s nationally-recognized impact as a catalyst for culture and community.
Hashtag Sports Awards Wins: In June 2025, MSE earned seven awards at the Hashtag Sports Awards, including Sports & Entertainment Company of the Year for Engagement Excellence and Broadcast Team of the Year, affirming its leadership in fan engagement, content innovation, and social impact.
Best Workplace Honors: Recently, MSE was named best place to work by Washington Business Journal, Newsweek and The Washington Post, reflecting its strong culture, employee-first values, and investment in top-tier talent.
Capital Emmy Awards Sweep: Earlier this year, Monumental Sports Network took home a record 12 Capital Emmy Awards, highlighting the company’s rapid rise as a creative force in regional sports media following the launch of its owned-and-operated platform.
MSE is also leading an $1 billion transformation of Capital One Arena and the sports and entertainment district in downtown Washington, D.C., in partnership with the city of Washington, D.C., cementing the venue’s role in convening communities and cultures. The renovation introduces premium experiences, including exclusive suites like “The Vaults” and the “United Globe Club and Lounge” in partnership with United Airlines. This extensive upgrade combines cutting-edge technology, enhanced fan amenities, and innovative design to elevate every aspect of the game-day and event experience.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment owns and operates the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA), Capital City Go-Go (NBA G League), and Wizards District Gaming (NBA 2K League), along with the regional Monumental Sports Network and several other high-impact investments in sports and entertainment. MSE also operates Capital One Arena in the heart of Washington D.C. The organization has been consistently recognized for its commitment to innovation, social impact, and championship performance—on and off the field of play.
About Monumental Sports & Entertainment Monumental Sports & Entertainment is one of the nation’s leading integrated sports and entertainment companies and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.
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Poolesville High School formally dedicated its gymnasium on December 19, 2025, in honor of longtime educator, coach, and athletic director Fred Allen Swick, whose impact on Montgomery County athletics spanned decades. The newly named Fred Swick Gymnasium recognizes Swick’s lasting legacy as a mentor, leader, and champion for student-athletes in the Poolesville community.
Swick, who died in 2021 at the age of 70 after a seven-year battle with multiple myeloma, devoted much of his career to Poolesville High School. After beginning his teaching career in 1974, Swick joined Poolesville High School in 1983 as a physical education teacher and head boys basketball coach. He later became athletic director in 2006 and, by that time, was already the school’s all-time winningest coach in both boys and girls basketball. He also coached baseball, football, and softball, often while teaching full course loads.
Under Swick’s leadership, Poolesville athletics experienced sustained success, including an undefeated 27-0 girls basketball season in 2017–18 that culminated in the school’s long-awaited state championship. Known for his humility, Swick was widely respected not only for his wins, but for his dedication to students, sportsmanship, and community. Even after retiring as athletic director, he returned to coaching and remained deeply involved in youth sports and school life.
MCPS Athletic Director Jeff Sullivan posted the following:
President Donald Trump has announced a new national showcase for top high school athletes: the Patriot Games, a four-day competition scheduled for the fall of 2026. The event will bring together one male and one female high school athlete from every U.S. state and territory, creating a unique field of elite youth competitors representing all corners of the country.
The Patriot Games will be part of Freedom 250, an administration-led slate of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. Trump described the event as a major addition to next year’s semiquincentennial plans, emphasizing that the competition will feature strictly separate boys’ and girls’ divisions.
The Patriot Games format, selection process, and specific athletic events have not yet been publicly detailed, but the administration says more information will be released as planning develops.
While pockets of criticism for the event formed on social media, as is the case with most inititatives of President Trump, the overwhelming online response centered on support and excitement for a national showcase dedicated to high school athletes.
Many commenters praised the idea as a long-needed platform that mirrors youth Olympic festivals or national all-star games in other countries. Coaches, parents, and former athletes highlighted how rare it is for high school competitors to earn a truly unified national stage — especially one featuring representatives from every U.S. state and territory.
Some users noted that American prep sports already produce world-class talent in football, basketball, wrestling, track and field, and more, and welcomed the opportunity to see elite athletes from different regions compete side-by-side. Others called it a potential boost for college recruiting, NIL visibility, and the overall growth of high school athletics.
In short, much of the reaction framed the Patriot Games as a celebration of youth sports excellence — a chance to elevate rising stars, strengthen national pride, and create a uniquely American tradition tied to the country’s 250th birthday.
The Patriot Games are one of several events planned under the Freedom 250 initiative. Other scheduled programming includes:
These Freedom 250 events will operate separately from the programming organized by America250, the bipartisan commission established by Congress in 2016 to oversee the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Despite the separation, America250 leadership expressed support, noting that additional celebrations offer more pathways for public participation. “America250 welcomes Freedom 250 and its initiatives that will give the American people more ways they can celebrate America’s 250th birthday,” said chair Rosie Rios.
Barb Paton and the Denver sports franchises hosted the Fourth Annual Holiday Huddle at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver.
DENVER — As hectic as this time of year is for all of Denver’s major sports teams, they still take time to make a difference in the lives of others.
Barb Paton, wife of Broncos General Manager George Paton, reached out to the other teams to host the Fourth Annual Holiday Huddle for kids at the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver last week.
When Barb Paton came to Denver, she learned of the Broncos’ many gifts to the Boys and Girls Club. Her passion for helping kids inspired an idea.
“I had this vision of getting all the sports together, because none of us compete against each other,” she said. “Some cities have two baseball teams. Some cities have – or some states actually – so this is so special to me because we’re all coming together to help.”
It’s a holiday huddle for all of the wives, and coaches of all the teams.
“We’re very fortunate to do what we do for a living and very blessed, and we have a lot of supporters of our team and our players,” Avalanche Head Coach Jared Bednar said. “Being able to give back a little bit feels good.”
These special moments are coming at a really special time.
“Especially right now the city of Denver is on fire with all of their teams doing super well, and then for us to come together and do one event, it’s historical to me,” Barb Paton said. “I feel like, I don’t think there are too many cities that all the teams come together.”
The Broncos have been supporting the Boys and Girls Club for more than 20 years.
The NBA and the global
basketball community are set to mark World Basketball Day on Dec.
21 with a wide-ranging celebration aimed at engaging hundreds of
millions of fans and youth across the world, highlighting
basketball’s roots, reach and enduring social impact.
Now in its third year, World
Basketball Day commemorates the date in 1891 when Dr. James
Naismith first introduced the game of basketball at a YMCA in
Springfield, Massachusetts. Established by the United Nations in
2023, the annual celebration recognizes basketball as a unifying
force across cultures and continents—an idea the NBA is embracing
through clinics, community programs, digital campaigns and in-arena
activations worldwide.
This year’s observance carries
added significance as it coincides with the 175th anniversary of
the YMCA, widely regarded as the birthplace of the sport. In
recognition of that milestone, the NBA and YMCA announced a
year-long collaboration focused on youth basketball and community
development, extending a long-standing partnership that will
support millions of young people and families across the United
States.
The initiative will include
youth-focused programming and renovations of select YMCA facilities
nationwide, directly benefiting the more than six million youth the
YMCA serves annually. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver emphasized the
historical importance of the moment, noting that World Basketball
Day in 2025 serves as both a celebration of the game’s origins and
a reflection of its global influence more than a century
later.
“World Basketball Day takes on a
special meaning this year as we commemorate the 175th anniversary
of the YMCA, where the sport was first invented 134 years ago,”
Silver said. “We are thrilled to join our many friends in the
basketball community to celebrate the game’s impact and influence
around the world.”
The NBA’s digital footprint will
play a central role in the celebration. Across its global and
localized social platforms, the league will feature NBA players
sharing what World Basketball Day means to them, alongside
highlights from events taking place in different regions. Fans are
encouraged to participate by tagging @nba, @nbacares and @jrnba on
social media using the hashtag #WorldBasketballDay.
On the grassroots level, the Jr.
NBA and Jr. WNBA programs, along with NBA Basketball School
initiatives that reach tens of millions of youth and coaches
globally, will gain access to a special playbook containing
exclusive training and educational content designed to promote
skill development and values such as teamwork and
leadership.
World Basketball Day will also
intersect with the NBA’s competitive calendar. Dec. 21 will serve
as a “3-for-1 Day” in NBA All-Star Voting, allowing fans with an
NBA ID to submit one ballot per day via the NBA App or NBA.com,
with each vote counting triple toward All-Star
selections.
Across the United States,
numerous NBA franchises—including the Lakers, Celtics, Heat, Bucks,
Mavericks and Warriors—will celebrate through localized events and
in-arena activities. Several player-led initiatives will headline
the festivities, including youth clinics hosted by former and
current NBA players such as Taj Gibson and Michael Carter-Williams.
In St. Louis, the Gateway Region YMCA recently hosted a youth
clinic attended by Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who also
announced upcoming YMCA renovations supported by NBA Cares and The
Jayson Tatum Foundation.
Internationally, the scope of
World Basketball Day underscores the NBA’s global reach. FIBA will
announce the inductees for its 2026 Hall of Fame class, while NBA
Africa and the Basketball Africa League will deploy 19 coaches to
conduct clinics across 13 African nations, reaching more than 600
coaches as part of a long-term effort to develop the sport on the
continent.
The Philippines, one of the
NBA’s most passionate international markets, will play a visible
role in the celebration. Local basketball players and content
creators from the country will be featured across the NBA’s
localized channels, while NBA Stores in the Philippines will host
World Basketball Day scavenger hunts offering fans the chance to
win merchandise and exclusive discounts. Beginning on Dec. 21, fans
who purchase official NBA merchandise at participating stores will
also receive a complimentary World Basketball Day T-shirt while
supplies last.
NBA champion Jayson Tatum
highlighted the personal significance of the day, pointing to
basketball’s role in shaping lives beyond the court. “World
Basketball Day is a chance to celebrate the game and the impact it
has on people everywhere,” Tatum said. “Basketball has had such a
positive influence on my life, and I hope I can pass along the joy
and skills I’ve learned to the next generation.”
WNBA Commissioner Cathy
Engelbert echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the sport’s ability
to open doors for girls and women worldwide. Leaders from FIBA, USA
Basketball, the NCAA, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, the
NBCA and the NFHS also underscored basketball’s educational,
cultural and community value, reinforcing the idea that the game’s
influence stretches far beyond professional leagues.
As basketball continues to grow
as the world’s fastest-rising sport and the second most popular
globally, World Basketball Day stands as both a tribute to its
humble beginnings and a celebration of its future. From
neighborhood gyms to global arenas, Dec. 21 will once again
spotlight how a simple game invented more than a century ago
continues to connect communities, inspire youth and bring the world
together through a shared love for basketball.
CYPRESS 59, FAIRMONT PREP 49: Cypress beat No. 4 ranked Fairmont Prep 59-49 in the Cure CHOC hosted by Sonora’s Mike Murphy Saturday. Cypress played well defensively and was able to neutralize the size of Fairmont, according to Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell.
Gavin Kroll led Cypress (10-4) with 18 points and four 3-pointers. Ethan Mai and Tyrus Allen each had 11 points for the Centurions.
“I’m lucky to have a staff who thinks outside the box when comes to game planning,” Mitchell said. “I think our boys followed the game plan and competed every single play. Joedy (Gardner of Fairmont Prep) is a great coach and they will get better after Christmas.”
Cypress will represent the North in the Orange County North/South Challenge hosted by Steve Garrett at Tesoro on Tuesday.
Fairmont Prep (7-5) was led by Ryan Guo, who had 19 points and two 3-pointers and David Abisogun, who had 12 points.
CHARLIE WILKINS MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
UNIVERSITY 59, SADDLEBACK 54: University held on to beat Saddleback on the opening day of the Charlie Wilkins Memorial Tournament at Westminster High School. The Trojans opened up a 26-10 lead after the first quarter, but the Roadrunners won each of the next three quarters. Saddleback cut the lead to one basket multiple times late in the game, but could not catch University.
Saddleback (5-6) had three players score all but two of their points. Senior guard Christopher Trotter had 27 points and four 3-pointers. Senior guard Angel Soberanis notched 15 points and three 3-pointers with all his scoring coming in the first half. Junior guard Tyrone Conner added 10 points.
University (3-11) broke an eight game losing streak. Abdallah Shami put the team on his back with his ninth double-double.
The junior center scored a career high 29 points adding 18 rebounds (14 offensive). Sophomore forward Lucas Haun scored a career high 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Junior guard Josh Kagawan contributed three points, six rebounds and seven assists.
—Courtesy Daryl Bogard, For OC Sports Zone
TARBUT V’ TORAH 78, WESTMINSTER 39: The Lions evened their record at 4-4 with the win Saturday. TVT was led by Ari Varon with 19 points and four 3-pointers. Ori Maya had 14 points, Jon Marzouk 12 points on four 3-pointers and Matt Olen 12 points. TVT made 15 3-pointers.
NON-LEAGUE
BECKMAN 69, PORTOLA 57: The Patriots captured a non-league win at home Saturday. Qusai Azem had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Josh Charette 16 points and four assists and Bronson Mejia 15 points and 13 rebounds.
SERVITE 79, PALM DESERT 52: The Friars (11-3) were led by Tariq Johnson II with 37 points and Jake Schutt with 15 points.
Cerritos 64, Sunny Hills 55
TARKANIAN CLASSIC
SANTA MARGARITA 86, BISHOP GORMAN 79 (2 OTs): The Eagles (13-1) advanced to the Platinum Division semifinals. Drew Anderson scored 29 points and had 19 rebounds; Brayden Kyman 19 points and four 3-pointers, seven rebounds four assists and three blocks and Kaiden Bailey 18 points and three 3-pointers and four assists.
The 6’4 forward excelled at Niagara Prep, leading the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) in blocks in 2019-20. She was named to the 2022 All-Canadian All-Star Game (the top 24 student-athletes in Canada) and also competed with Canada Elite before accepting a scholarship offer from Wisconsin. A two-time All-Big Ten First Team selection and the conference’s 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, Williams transferred to UConn for her final season of collegiate eligibility.
The Women’s Champions Classic at the Barclays Center on Saturday was a good test of how the New York native has transitioned to the role of UConn’s starting big. After UConn’s 90-64 win over No. 11 Iowa, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma offered a balanced assessment.
“There’s been an improvement … in her approach to what she wants to get accomplished,” Auriemma told reporters. “I think coming into a situation like ours … can be a little bit daunting — you know, where do I fit in, what [is] my role going to be? We talked a lot about impacting the game — whichever way, whatever that means. And I thought tonight was one of her better performances.”
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In 23 minutes of play against Iowa, Williams added 7 points, four rebounds and three blocks. Her length and defensive instincts disrupted the Hawkeyes’ post play and created second-chance opportunities for the Huskies.
She wasn’t brought to UConn to be a primary scorer — it already has Sarah Strong, Azzi Fudd and Blanca Quiñonez averaging, respectively, 26.7, 26.4 and 22.8 points per 40 minutes. Instead, Williams allows the Huskies to match up better against the nation’s elite bigs like Madina Okot at South Carolina and Lauren Betts at UCLA — teams poised to return to the Final Four this season.
The margins between the nation’s very top teams are a matter of inches, and adding length like Williams was a wise transfer portal tune-up from the technicians on UConn’s coaching staff.
“Iowa relies heavily on their inside game, and I thought [Serah] both getting us a couple buckets and some of the rebounds and blocked shots [was important]. Those are things that, when we decided that we wanted to add Serah [to the roster], we thought we really, really need more of a defensive presence,” Auriemma told reporters. “We need more of an offensive threat. And I think it takes time, and I think this last three weeks or so, she’s made a lot of progress.”
Williams is a formidable post presence on a reigning national championship Huskies squad already stacked with high-impact guards and wings. As the calendar turns to January, she’s steadily becoming the player she was brought to Storrs to be. Sunday’s performance in her hometown is proof.
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The future is now in Omaha
Ranked ESPN HoopGurlz No. 84 and No. 89, respectively, twin guards Neleigh and Norah Gessert arrived at Creighton having already made names for themselves in Omaha. Just 20 minutes down the road from Creighton’s campus, the 6′ guards guided Millard West High School to consecutive Nebraska state championships in 2024 and 2025. Over their final two high school seasons, they went 55-2.
Last November, with Creighton coming off a program-best third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, Neleigh and Norah chose to become Bluejays.
“I fell in love with Creighton from the very beginning, the first step on campus, I knew it would be home,” Norah said when she committed to the school. “Ever since I was a kid, Creighton has been nothing less than a dream school for me, and I can’t wait to be a Bluejay!”
Last week against Omaha, the twins combined for 40 points — a career-high-tying 25 points from Neleigh and a career-high 15 points from Norah — en route to a 92-48 victory over the Mavericks at Baxter Arena, Omaha’s home court.
“Because of the way they shot — hopefully they’re not thinking about leaving to come here and play in this gym,” Creighton head coach Jim Flanery joked with reporters after the game.
When asked about the transition to the college game, Norah acknowledged that it’s been a bit of an adjustment for the Bluejays, given that their roster consists of six freshmen out of 11 players.
“I feel like we got an early start in the summer, so that always helps,” Norah said. “But obviously, there’s a lot of differences from high school to college. Basically, everything’s 10 times faster. So I think it’s always a little rocky at first, but we’ve kind of talked about how we were kind of young at the beginning, but now we’re more in the season, so we’re not as young.”
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The Gessert twins aren’t the only freshmen making an immediate impact for the Bluejays. Freshman guard Ava Zediker moved into the starting line-up following the loss of senior guard Kiani Lockett on Nov. 20 to injury. Zediker made her mark right away, earning BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honors for the first week of December.
Zediker didn’t look much like a freshman in a 73-60 win over Tulsa on Dec. 7, notching a career-high 26 points, going 4-for-4 from beyond the 3-point line. She averages 11.6 points per game, good for second on the Bluejays, narrowly behind Neleigh Gessert‘s 12.3 points per game.
“They’re not only getting to play, they’re impacting whether we win or lose. … That’s a great thing for a freshman to have that opportunity, but it’s also a heavy responsibility,” Flanery told reporters. “I have to constantly remind them that that’s a responsibility.
“You don’t want [it] to be a heavy pressure, but you want them to put enough pressure on themselves to talk louder on defense and more forcefully on defense, and stay in … broken plays that you can get away with maybe in high school, not finishing a play that you can’t get away with in college.”
As he has for years, Jim Flanery has built a solid foundation of mostly local Midwest talent who have bought into a Creighton program now seeking a fifth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. While the Bluejays have shown some growing pains in their 6-5 start to the season, it’s clear that their newcomers are ready to maintain the program’s standard of excellence — and that starts with making an impact on the court right away.
“[I’m] so happy and blessed to be able to coach them,” Flanery said. ” … We need them now — to win, not just to play.”
Howard Megdal and Jackie Powell of The IX Basketball contributed reporting to this story.
