Monumental Sports & Entertainment has agreed to one of the "most wide-reaching health care partnerships in professional sports," signing a deal with Maryland-based MedStar Health in what could be an "innovative new model," according to Rick Maese of the WASHINGTON POST. MS&E Founder, Chair & CEO Ted Leonsis unveiled a multiyear agreement that gives MedStar naming rights at three DC-area practice facilities that house MS&E teams. The Capitals' practice facility in Arlington, formerly the Kettler Iceplex, "will become MedStar Capitals Iceplex," while the Wizards, WNBA Mystics and NBA G League Capital City Go-Go will practice at the "MedStar Wizards Performance Center," which is the "new basketball training facility" in DC's Congress Heights neighborhood. That facility is "expected to open this fall." A new arena adjacent to that practice facility, which will house regular-season games for the Mystics and Go-Go, "does not yet have a naming rights deal." Under the deal, the esports training facility in DC's Chinatown area for MS&E's NBA 2K League team, Wizards District Gaming, also will "become the MedStar Wizards District Gaming Studio." MedStar already "provided health care services and sponsored training camp and practice jersey patches" for the Wizards and Capitals, and now, all MS&E clubs, including the AFL Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade, will get those health care services. MedStar will "establish a council of the medical professionals who provide services to all the teams" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/31).
ALL PATCHED UP: In DC, Adam Zielonka notes Leonsis "hinted that the Wizards could soon agree to terms" for a new jersey patch sponsor -- "whether with MedStar or another organization." The Wizards "already wear a MedStar patch" on training camp and practice jerseys. Leonsis: "Stay tuned. My bet is we'll do a big, big deal" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 7/31). Currently, 21 NBA teams have jersey patch deals (THE DAILY).
