Monumental Sports Network VP & GM ZACH LEONSIS hasn’t had too much free time these past few months with the launch of the new DC-based OTT service. With a mix of live local games from leagues including the WNBA and AFL, as well as pregame shows for the Wizards and Capitals, Leonsis has had his hands full establishing an identity for the service, building content and seeing what works best. Leonsis: “We’re getting close to our 3-month mark since we’ve launched and it’s amazing because three month feels like a year. The nice thing is that for the most part we have a lot of wins to celebrate. We’ve done close to 150 live games and going through June we’re expected to have at least 200 more.”
This week Leonsis has been focused on producing several of the net’s original series: “The Indoor Game,” chronicling the expansion AFL Washington Valor, “The Walk-and-Talk with REGGIE LOVE,” the former aide to PRESIDENT OBAMA who played football and basketball at Duke: and the tune-in shows for the Wizards and Capitals who each have games this weekend. Also on tap is live coverage of four games from the DC-based National Capital Hoops Classic, a showcase tournament for high school basketball teams. Leonis said MSN is also starting to build out its on-demand library and programming. Leonis: “It’s all about unique and interesting content. By the end of June, we expect to have close to 80 hours of original programming.”
EVERYBODY WATCHING: The biggest surprise so far has been the inbound interest for MSN. Once we announced our high school basketball schedule, we had a lot of schools reaching out. We’ve had interest from other sports organizations wondering what we’re doing and wondering if it’s something they should be doing as well too. People are watching closely and are really interested in what works and what doesn’t. Everyone is wondering how the OTT world is going to shake out. We’re one of those first teams in the water.
LOVE WHAT YOU DO: Weekend-wise, anybody who works in sports quickly realizes there really isn’t much of a work-life balance. You've got to love it. What we’re building here is new and unique, there’s a lot of learning to absorb and that takes time. That said I do love to travel in my free time. I’ve been lucky enough to develop friendships across the country. It’s great to explore new worlds. I also love to get out and try new restaurants here in DC. We’ve enjoyed a little bit of a renaissance here with a lot of development moving from west to east.
ROAD TRIP: I love to see our teams like the Capitals and Wizards play on the road. I love to visit new arenas and I’ll typically try to build trips around our teams because I hate to miss home games as well. One piece of advice I’d give to young sports professionals is even on the weekends I just have too much anxiety not to check and respond to my full inbox. If you don’t do it, you’re gonna fall behind. At the same time, when you have the time you should recharge your batteries.
