Ted Leonsis

Ted Leonsis and the public trust

Earlier today, Monumental Sports and Entertainment announced they will hold Capitals and Wizards game as scheduled and available to spectators. That announcement came shortly after the DC public health department recommended that all non-essential mass gatherings be postponed. That announcement also came shortly before DC Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency and said she would not take her family to a public sports event.

Also on Wednesday, the esports team the Washington Justice announced they will not hold their planned homestands until May, and the concert venue entity IMP (9:30 Club, The Anthem) announced that public events have been cancelled until April. The NCAA announced that March Madness games will be played to empty arenas, as will some upcoming NHL games in San Jose and Columbus.

The intent of these changes and cancellations is to slow the coronavirus’s transmission in order to avoid a catastrophic failure of the healthcare system, as has been seen this week in Italy. MSE’s decision not to abide by the health department’s recommendation — while seemingly saying otherwise in their press release — is confusing. From that release, with emphasis added:

We have formed a cross-functional Coronavirus task force and are monitoring updates and following guidance from the CDC, WHO and local governmental authorities.

MSE’s decision seems in conflict with public health and with Ted Leonsis’s own oft-repeated philosophy for operating the team as a public trust.

Update: March 12, 5:45 PM: Ted Leonsis has made a statement on his blog:

In the case of the recommendation issued by DC Health (a department under the Mayor’s jurisdiction) to cancel events with 1,000 or more people yesterday morning, we immediately informed the NBA and NHL of that announcement, and we strongly advocated for permission to hold games at our arena without fans. But a recommendation from the city health department was not a mandate or ban and the leagues decided to continue as planned. It wasn’t until later that it became clear that the seasons would be suspended.

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