William World News William F. Yurasko's blog v.14 – Nats, Penn State, Redskins, greater DC , travel, more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following last season’s heartbreaking elimination in round 1, the Washington Capitals from the owner down to the fans shared the same point of view:
the regular season does not matter, only the playoffs do
What nobody counted on was just how frustrating the President’s Trophy to early playoff exit hangover would be. The [...]

Back on April 28, right after Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis took control of the Washington Wizards, Washington Mystics and Verizon Center from the estate of Abe Pollin, I came up with a list of items that he needed to deliver on. Rather than update that old post, I figured I’d start with a fresh [...]

I bet that Ted Leonsis did not think one of Abe Pollin’s legacies would be 100% of the Verizon Center concession stands having health code violations in 2009, according to an ESPN Outside the Lines report. From Vendor inspection reports:
Verizon Center
Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals
Vendors with critical violations: 100%
Inspection report excerpt: Mice droppings, a critical [...]

We need a Manute & Mugsy statue!

Congratulations go out to Ted Leonsis for completing an agreement with the family of the late Abe Pollin to buy the Verizon Center and Washington Wizards. His brand of management will help the NBA franchise and his control of the building should help the NHL Washington Capitals.
UPDATED 06.19.2010 — I’ve added a new one — [...]

Agreement reached on price for Wizards, Verizon Center – The PostApparently, the estate of Abe Pollin and Ted Leonsis have come to an agreement on the value of the Washington Wizards and MCI Center — $550 million. Of course, Leonsis already owns 44% of that — I’ll let you do the math.
This news means that [...]

Leonsis: ‘We’ll End Up Buying’ the Wizards – DCistAt a booksigning for the Business of Happiness, Ted Leonsis said “It’s my intention and expectation that everything is going to work out fine and that it will be done the right way and that we’ll own the Caps and the Wizards and the building.” Apparently, he [...]

An Update on Today’s News – Ted’s TakeWashington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis issued a statement via his blog about the recent Post article on his bid to buy the Wizards, Verizon Center and the D.C. Ticketmaster franchise outright from the estate of Abe Pollin. This is a “calm down everyone” move, but perhaps also a [...]

There is a lot going on in Washington sports and I don’t have much time to blog about it.
DC Sports Bog is on fire with Nats caravan & interview transcripts, Redskins slowness to integrate black into uniforms (this time its a good thing), Nats winter caravan continues and is at Ben’s Chili Bowl right now. [...]

Appraisers to determine value of Wizards, Verizon Center – The PostThe sale of the Washington Wizards, Verizon Center and the local Ticketmaster franchise to Ted Leonsis by the Abe Pollin estate is entering round 2. After falling to come to an agreement over the last 10 days the Pollin estate and Leonsis will each have [...]