Leonsis wants more collaboration, and it shows in the way the new front office is structuredgetty images
The Wizards "expect to see" Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chair & CEO Ted Leonsis "around more often" after major restructuring to the team's front office, according to Chase Hughes of NBC SPORTS WASHINGTON. Leonsis "discovered there could be benefits to a more hands-on approach from ownership." Leonsis "wants to pay closer attention than he did under the previous regime" led by former President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld. Leonsis also "wants more collaboration," and it "shows in the way the front office is structured." Now, the Wizards have "more top-level executives operating on a more even plane," and they "don't report to one team president like they used to with Grunfeld." One example of the new front office structure taking effect is that Leonsis was "privy" to the staff's "hope of drafting" F Rui Hachimura. Leonsis has also been "keeping a closer eye" on G John Wall's injury rehab than he "had with other players in the past." The Wizards' training staff now "provides Leonsis periodical reports on Wall's progress, including his weight and road ahead." Leonsis: "My belief has not changed since I bought the teams. I think owners should set strategy and vision and provide infrastructure and respond to what the organization says it needs. And you need to spend the money. I think I've done that and I want to continue to do that" (NBCSPORTSWASHINGTON.com, 8/7).
