Ted Leonsis

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The top quotes from the introductory press conference for Michael Winger and Will Dawkins.

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Top Quotes: Ted Leonsis, Michael Winger, Will Dawkins

Luke Askew

The Washington Wizards held a press conference at District E in downtown D.C. on Thursday, June 8 featuring Ted Leonsis (Monumental Sports and Entertainment Founder and CEO), Michael Winger (President of Monumental Basketball), and Will Dawkins (Wizards General Manager).

Wes Unseld Jr. (Wizards head coach), Travis Schlenk (Senior Vice President of Player Personnel), and John Thompson III (Senior Vice President of Monumental Basketball) were also available to the media after the press conference.

"I was very, very interested in a fresh start and moving forward. Starting with a leader, who then would be able to attract a great group of executives to help us to build the team that can legitimately, honestly, authentically say that it has upside, that it's competitive, that the fans fall in love with and that we could have championship aspirations." -Ted Leonsis

"I spent a lot of time with [Michael Winger], and we synced in our belief that you have to do all the little things right. You have to do all the big things right. And it's going to take time... I really believed in Michael's vision on how to build an organization that's really built to last. I think that's very, very important that you can't have flash-in-the-pan, overnight success. That this will take a long time. And because of that, I wanted a next-generation leadership team. I think that it's their time. This is a very, very young, aggressive, smart, new NBA-oriented team. It starts at the top, and Michael has my full support." -Ted Leonsis

"There's a lot of things that attracted me to the job. The first one was Ted. And I think that his vision for the organization, piggybacking what he said particularly as it relates to the other organizations where he's shown that patience, his willingness to resource the team, I think the Wizards have an extraordinarily bright future if it's appropriately managed. And I think that Ted has put together the appropriate folks to get that job done." -Michael Winger

"I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge how excited I am to raise my kids in D.C." -Michael Winger

"I was with Will [Dawkins] in Oklahoma City from 2010 to 2017, and there were a lot of impressive folks in Oklahoma City... Will sort of stood out to me as a combination of extraordinary talent, passion for the game, an intellectual curiosity, a work ethic, and I just thought if there was ever a time in my future where I was lucky enough to be in a position to hire folks, Will would be one of the guys that I just want to work with him... He's a pusher. He's a star." -Michael Winger

"There's been a lot of emotions of the last week... the one that I continuously come back to is just excitement and gratitude to be joining an organization like this, to be part of the Washington Wizards. It's a special franchise in a basketball city with loyal fans. That's really, really exciting... I'm ready to roll up the sleeves and get going." -Will Dawkins

"People know Michael [Winger] as the sharp, smart, very talented, process-drive, hardworking, connector of people. That's all true, but the person he is, the friend he is, the father he is, that's what attracts me to coming to the shop." -Will Dawkins

"The eventual expectation is that we're gonna build a generational contender. We're eventually gonna have a team that is competing for championships. I can't promise when that'll be, but there's no excuse for the lone NBA team in Washington, D.C. not to be a perennial contender or at least be pursuing championships, so that's the goal. The goal is to pursue championships by any means necessary." -Michael Winger

"I've encouraged Michael [Winger] and the group to take some time and assess what we have. Get to know the organization, the players, the city, and then develop a plan. And we should work off of a strategic plan. Tell me the resources that are needed, and I'm committed to give them what they need to build their vision and execute the way they want." -Ted Leonsis

"There's a lot of talent on the team. There's a lot of talent in the front office. I think right now, what we have to study closely is how things fit together. How the various, different puzzle pieces fit. And what the roster ought to look like on a going-forward basis. But there's a lot of good here. This isn't a situation where we're starting from zero. We're starting from something significantly north of zero because of the talent, because of the character, because of the folks in the organization." -Michael Winger

"For me, it's more about the person than it really is the player. You gotta make sure you're bringing in the right people and they're about the right things. Whether that's competitiveness, effort, willingness to be unselfish... There will be characteristics that we'll look for on the court for sure, but it starts with the person. And that'll be the vetting process. We'll find out and create what a Wizards player is and we'll go after those types of players." -Will Dawkins

"Players will look different over the course of time. Staff will look different over the course of time. The thread that will bind everybody is they have to love what they do. They have to love to play basketball. They have to love to coach basketball. They have to love to be around basketball. If they love it, they're gonna work at it. And there's just going to be an endless improvement until the day they retire from whatever profession they're in. Every Wizards player, every Wizards coach, every Wizards staff member is gonna absolutely love hoop and be a tireless worker." -Michael Winger

"I think it's probably unorthodox in so far as Will [Dawkins] and I are going to collaborate on every meaningful roster decision, every meaningful top-level executive decision, but there shouldn't be a mistake: Will is running basketball operations for the Wizards. And whatever that day-to-day management requires, whatever decisions that requires, those are Will's decisions to make. Corporate decisions, higher-level player personnel decisions, I'm certainly going to be involved. There's gonna be a team of us involved. Coach [John] Thompson is involved. Travis [Schlenk] is involved. Wes [Unseld Jr.] will be involved. Will, myself, others... We're going to be a very collaborative group." -Michael Winger

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Key quotes from Wizards' June 8th press conference

waszrosen

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Statement from Ted Leonsis: “Education. Scholarship. Economic Opportunity. These are the three main areas of our social responsibility work at Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment and where we personally invest in our community. Which is why we fully endorse the NBA’s plan to create a charitable foundation and are pledging $1 million every year for the next 10 years to fund skills training, mentorship, coaching and pipeline development to create employment and career advancement in Black communities. This money will be spent directly in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Region and will have a significant impact on the day-to-day life of so many of our neighbors. Together, we will uplift our community and build towards a brighter future for many generations to come.”

The following was released by the NBA Board of Governors and the NBPA this afternoon:

NEW YORK, Aug. 5, 2020 – The NBA Board of Governors announced today that it will contribute $300 million in initial funding to establish the first-ever NBA Foundation dedicated to creating greater economic empowerment in the Black community.  The Foundation is being launched in partnership with the National Basketball Players Association.

Over the next 10 years, the 30 NBA team owners will collectively contribute $30 million annually to establish a new, leaguewide charitable foundation.  Through its mission to drive economic empowerment for Black communities through employment and career advancement, the NBA Foundation will seek to increase access and support for high school, college-aged and career-ready Black men and women, and assist national and local organizations that provide skills training, mentorship, coaching and pipeline development in NBA markets and communities across the United States and Canada.  As a public charity, the Foundation will also aim to work strategically with marketing and media partners to develop additional programming and funding sources that deepen the NBA family’s commitment to racial equality and social justice.

The Foundation will focus on three critical employment transition points: obtaining a first job, securing employment following high school or college, and career advancement once employed.  Through contributions, the NBA Foundation will enhance and grow the work of national and local organizations dedicated to education and employment, including through investment in youth employment and internship programs, STEM fields, job shadows and apprenticeships, development pathways outside of traditional higher education, career placement, professional mentorship, networking and specific partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

“On behalf of the NBA Board of Governors, I am thrilled to announce the creation of the NBA Foundation,” said NBA Board of Governors Chairman and Toronto Raptors Governor Larry Tanenbaum.  “All NBA team governors recognize our unique position to effect change and we are committed to supporting and empowering young Black men and women in each of our team markets as well as communities across the U.S. and Canada.”

“The creation of this foundation is an important step in developing more opportunities for the Black community,” said NBPA President Chris Paul.  “I am proud of our league and our players for their commitment to this long-term fight for equality and justice, and I know we will continue to find ways to keep pushing for meaningful institutional change."

The Foundation will work directly with all 30 teams, their affiliated charitable organizations and the NBPA to support national organizations and their local affiliates as well as local grassroots organizations to facilitate sustainable programming and create change in team markets.

“Given the resources and incredible platform of the NBA, we have the power to ideate, implement and support substantive policies that reflect the core principles of equality and justice we embrace,” said NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts.  “This Foundation will provide a framework for us to stay committed and accountable to these principles.”

“We are dedicated to using the collective resources of the 30 teams, the players and the league to drive meaningful economic opportunities for Black Americans,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.  “We believe that through focused programs in our team markets and nationally, together with clear and specific performance measures, we can advance our shared goals of creating substantial economic mobility within the Black community.”

The 30 NBA teams will be members of the NBA Foundation with its eight Board of Directors comprised of representatives from the NBA Board of Governors (four board seats), players and executives from the NBPA (three board seats) and the league office (one board seat).  The Foundation’s board will oversee all business affairs and provide strategic direction with respect to programming and grantmaking.

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Statement from Monumental Sports & Entertainment Chairman & CEO Ted Leonsis

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Photos: MSE Foundation Ballers and Bowling - 2/20/20

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Photos: Rui Hachimura visits Japan Embassy in D.C. for Tokyo 2020 event

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Photos: MSE, Wizards partner with KaBOOM! to build playground - 9/27/19

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Photos: Monumental Basketball Introductory Press Conference

WASHINGTON, DC – Chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment Ted Leonsis announced the leadership team for Monumental Basketball, a newly-formed collective that includes the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go and Wizards District Gaming.  Tommy Sheppard will serve as general manager of the Wizards, Sashi Brown will serve as chief planning and operations officer for Monumental Basketball and Daniel Medina will serve as chief of athlete care &amp; performance for Monumental Basketball.

“We have formed a new leadership team with a forward-thinking structure to adapt to the ‘new NBA’ that requires every possible strategic advantage to compete and win,” said Leonsis.  “We are building a leadership brain trust with deep Wizards/NBA experience and with sports professionals from inside and outside the NBA to challenge our thinking and adapt to an ever-increasing competitive environment.”

Sheppard will lead strategy, analytics, player personnel, scouting and coaching for the Wizards, Go-Go and District Gaming while Brown and Medina will lead teams providing shared services to all Monumental Basketball franchises. Brown will manage efforts relating to technology, finance, communications, security, research and player engagement and Medina will head up medical, training, mental health, strength and conditioning, nutrition and physical therapy/recovery.  Mike Thibault will continue to lead all basketball activities for the Mystics as head coach/general manager while Pops Mensah-Bonsu will continue as general manager for the Go-Go, reporting to Sheppard.

As part of the new organizational structure, Leonsis also announced a new athlete development &amp; engagement department which will be led by former Georgetown and Princeton Head Coach John Thompson III.  Thompson will use his vast experience to lead a team that will focus on maximizing player potential both on and off the court for all Monumental Basketball athletes.  Employing a holistic development approach, the department will focus on financial literacy, post-playing career opportunities and the overall empowerment and development of the athletes.

In addition to Sheppard’s promotion and the addition of Brown, Medina and Thompson, Leonsis also announced two promotions of current staff.  Sashia Jones, who previously served as vice president of community relations, was promoted to vice president of player engagement and will work with Thompson to provide services to players for all teams.  Brett Greenberg, who previously served as vice president of basketball analytics/salary cap management, was promoted to assistant general manager for strategy and analytics.

Entering his 25th year of service in the NBA and his 17th with the Wizards organization, Sheppard has earned a reputation as one of the league’s most innovative and creative executives.  While with the Wizards, his responsibilities have included salary cap management, negotiations, draft preparation, talent evaluation of collegiate athletes and professionals both domestically and abroad, recruitment and evaluation of free agents, statistical evaluation, the hiring of coaches and personnel, and monitoring the Wizards’ efforts in the NBA’s Player Programs.

He has also organized the Wizards’ training camp and preseason schedules, overseen the athletic training, strength training, video, technology and equipment areas for the team and directed in-arena renovations to areas including the Wizards' locker room, players' lounge, family lounge and front offices.

Sheppard served as the Nuggets’ Senior Director of Team Services and Player Relations before his arrival in Washington. With Denver, he oversaw all internal and external communications functions and scouted international, high school, collegiate and minor league talent.

An active figure within the United States Olympic Movement for over a decade, Sheppard worked as a press attaché for the three Summer Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004), as well as three Olympic Festivals and the 2003 Pan American Games. He assisted with the formation of the Northern European Basketball League (which realigned as part of FIBA Europe) and also serves on the Industry Advisory Council for the American Public University and the American Military University Systems.

A graduate of Harvard Law and Hampton University, Brown is a seasoned NFL executive who has served within both football and business operations.

In 2016, Brown was promoted to executive vice president of football operations for the Cleveland Browns, where he was responsible for developing the organization’s short and long-term visions and strategies in collaboration with the ownership group.  He also oversaw Cleveland’s scouting functions and management of the roster and salary cap.

Brown was originally hired by Cleveland in 2013 as executive vice president and general counsel, where he served the franchise in both football and business capacities.  He was responsible for overseeing the roster and salary cap while also directing the team’s football administration functions, including negotiation of players contracts. On the business side, his duties included insurance and risk management, licensing and intellectual property issues and litigation management.

Brown started his career as an attorney at Wilmer, Cutler, Pickering, Hale and Dorr in Washington, DC, where he represented clients in a variety of transactions including venture capital and private equity deals as well as mergers and acquisitions.  He joined the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005 where he served as senior vice president and general counsel, working on both the football and business side of the franchise’s operations.

Daniel Medina comes to Washington having spent the last two seasons as the vice president of athlete care for the Philadelphia 76ers. In his role with the 76ers, Dr. Medina oversaw all areas of athlete care and performance, including the medical and sports science departments, as well as the athletic training, physiotherapy, nutrition and strength and conditioning departments.

Prior to Philadelphia, Dr. Medina spent over a decade with Fútbol Club Barcelona. Dr. Medina finished his tenure with the team as deputy director of the sports science and medical department, where he managed 2,000 athletes and more than 125 athlete care and performance staff members.

Dr. Medina served as team physician for FC Barcelona from 2008-2015 and first joined its medical services department in 2005. He also served as a driving force behind FC Barcelona’s award-winning Barca Innovation Hub. Dr. Medina was heavily involved in Barca Innovation Hub’s evaluation and research of emerging products, particularly those designed to aid in athlete health and performance.

Dr. Medina boasts an extensive résumé in athlete care and sports performance. In addition to earning a PhD from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Medical School in Spain, Dr. Medina holds master’s degrees from the University of Barcelona (Evaluative Medicine) and University Pablo Olavide (Fútbol Conditioning and Rehab). He also graduated from the International Olympic Committee’s sports nutrition program and participated in continuing health care education programs at Harvard Business School.

John Thompson III brings a vast array of experience to Monumental Basketball, including 13 years (2004-2017) as head coach at iconic Georgetown University in Washington, DC.

Thompson arrived at Georgetown with a unique pedigree as the son of one Hall of Fame coach and the student of another, having played basketball for the legendary coach Pete Carril as an undergraduate at Princeton University.  He achieved several coaching milestones, including an NCAA Final Four appearance, two NCAA Sweet-16 appearances, three Big East regular season championships and one Big East tournament championship. In his four years as head coach at Princeton, Thompson won three Ivy League championships. Overall, he owns a stellar 346-193 (.641) all-time record and was named Big East Coach of the Year (2013), NABC Coach of the Year (2007) and was a two-time recipient of the Black Coaches Association (BCA) Male Coach of the Year.

Following his tenure at Georgetown, Thompson continued his path as a stalwart in basketball, serving as an analyst for ESPN and an assistant coach for the USA Men’s National Team (where he assisted head coach Jeff Van Gundy as the team qualified for the 2019 FIBA World Cup). He also served on the Commission on College Basketball (established by the NCAA Board of Governors, Division I Board of Directors and the NCAA president and chaired by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to fully examine critical aspects of Division I men’s basketball) and was the recipient of the 2019 Guardians of the Game Award for Service, presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).

Off the court, Thompson has been an active member of his community. His greatest contribution was establishing the John Thompson III Foundation in 2007 to create a positive and lasting impact on the city he cherishes, Washington, DC.  He currently he serves on the boards of his alma mater, Gonzaga College High School, the NABC and the non-profit, Men Against Breast Cancer.

Entering her 18th season in the Washington Wizards organization, Sashia Jones has established the organization as a pillar of philanthropy in the DC metropolitan community.

Under her leadership as vice president of community relations, the team has established signature events such as Salute to the Stars, Family to Family, the Special Olympics Unified game and the Thanksgiving Day Assist which have all been recognized as best practices in the NBA.

Jones has also implemented programs and initiatives for Wizards All-Stars John Wall and Bradley Beal that have led to each winning the NBA’s Community Assist Season-long award.  This award is given to an NBA player who best reflects the passion that the league and its players share for giving back to their communities.  In addition to established community events, Jones has partnered the organization with  numerous social and charitable organizations throughout the DC metropolitan area, including Make-a-Wish which helps fulfill the wishes of children experiencing health challenges, and Bright Beginnings Inc., which assists children experiencing homelessness with opportunities to receive educational assistance and special experiences during every holiday season.

A native of Silver Spring, Maryland, Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Bowie State University.

Brett Greenberg is in his 10th season with the Wizards, recently completing his third as vice president of basketball analytics/salary cap management. In his role, Greenberg leads the Wizards’ analytical efforts while assisting with all salary cap and Collective Bargaining Agreement matters.

Prior to his promotion, Greenberg served as basketball operations assistant/video coordinator for the team for two seasons, where he played a vital role in the coaching staff’s preparation by providing video breakdowns of opposing teams and individual players as well as video analysis of the individual strengths and weaknesses of Wizards players. He served as basketball operations assistant/technology during his first two seasons with the organization.

Greenberg came to Washington after spending the 2008-09 season in the basketball operations department for the Miami Heat as a video intern. Prior to working for the Heat, he served as a student manager and assistant video coordinator for four years for the Duke men’s basketball team from 2004-08. Greenberg graduated from Duke University in 2008 with a degree in Sociology.

A native of Owings Mills, Maryland, Greenberg graduated from McDonogh School in 2004. While in high school, he worked for the men’s basketball team at Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie College) for two seasons.