Today was a big day for the Washington Wizards and the entire Monumental Sports & Entertainment family as our past met our future and we introduced new uniforms and logos for Washington D.C.’s NBA entry. Our new look features the red, white and blue color scheme that is synonymous with the Monumental SE brand as well as our home in the nation’s capital. The Wizards’ new look combines some of the popular elements from previous Bullets and Wizards kits with a few clever components to give the new uniforms a look and feel of their own. From the “Stars and Bars” theme to the inclusion of silver as a fourth color to the team’s pallet, I feel really good about the end product. I believe it is a great mix of old and new and I hope you enjoy the uniforms as much as I have enjoyed working with a great team of professionals in designing them.

Our new family of logos also borrows from the past’s best and combines them with fresh elements to deliver what I believe to be a very strong identity. I particularly like the new “dc” mark, highlighted by the reaching hands and basketball as well the “monument” logo featuring a red, and white and blue basketball framing two iconic images of Washington, DC and our country…the Washington Monument and a star. You will see a lot of these two marks, along with the “Washington” and “Wizards” wordmarks, moving forward as they will take the lead in representing our brand.

A great deal of work went into what was unveiled today and it was the work of many. In fact, it was very much a team effort. There were countless folks within the Wizards organization and Monumental family who contributed during the nearly year-long process to get us to where we are today. To them, I say thank you. I also would like to pass along a special thanks to Ted Leonsis, Ernie Grunfeld and the Wizards/Mystics Vice President of Marketing Missy Rentz who ran the point with me in making this all happen.
Along with great work on the home front, a tip of the cap is in order for the NBA’s Vice President of Apparel, Sporting Goods and Basketball Partnerships, Christopher Arena as well as the lead design team at our partner, adidas. The trio of Leon Imas, Sumiko Kalish and Mike Bui were the true creative minds who helped our vision come to life. Finally, a thank you to Susan Lane, adidas’ NBA Team Services Manager, for all of her help making sure we had what we need to put on a good show today. The effort around the Wizards’ uniform and logo launch is proof that teamwork really does make the dream work.

If you are interested in getting new Wizards gear, now is the time. The team store at Verizon Center will be open from until 5pm today and the reopening from 6-9 this evening. The store will also be open from 11am-6pm for the remainder of this week. Plus, if you donate new or gently used Wizards apparel featuring the old color scheme, you will receive 10% off your purchase of new gear. All of the old apparel collected will be donated, along with outdated Wizards team gear, to the NBA’s Basketball without Borders program to help those in need.

If you can’t make it to Verizon Center, visit the online team store at WashingtonWizards.com to purchase our new line of merchandise. While there, be sure to check out the new look of the online store as well.
Yes, today was a good day, but it’s just the beginning. Over the coming weeks, we will continue to introduce new merchandise while unveiling the team’s new court design prior to the start of next season. It promises to be an exciting summer as we continue to evolve the Wizards brand and I hope you stay connected as we make these changes.

Mystics Training Camp Just Days Away
Just one other main note for this entry…we are now just five days away from the opening of Mystics training camp. It has been a long off-season since Atlanta knocked us out of the WNBA Playoffs in August. Now we are just days away from getting started again. I’m excited to see what Trudi Lacey and the new-look Mystics do in 2011. WashingtonMystics.com will have full coverage of training camp and will provide all of the latest news and notes from the team throughout the season. Be sure to check in often to stay current with the team.

Quote of the Week
“The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.”
Five Final (and sometimes random) Thoughts
• Didn’t see the Mavericks sweep of the Lakers coming. The top two seeds in the Western Conference are now gone. The 2011 Playoffs are proving to be the most exciting of the recent past.
• Had a great time in Malibu for the wedding of friends. Not a bad corner of the world.
• Did anyone think the Cleveland Indians would be one of baseball’s best teams in mid May?
• Happy belated Mother’s Day to my Mom and my wife. You both are amazing.
• Have you renewed your Mystics season tickets yet?
Until next time,
Go Wizards and Mystics!

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