This signature element of Monumental Sports’ “District of Play” Initiative to empower D.C. youth through sports begins this week
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Washington, D.C. – March 18, 2025 – Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Founder & CEO Ted Leonsis today announced the launch of the signature initiative, “District Dribble,” as part of the company’s larger, ongoing “District of Play” effort. District Dribble will deliver 29,000 basketballs to 80 public schools throughout the District, providing every student in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade a basketball and t-shirt. This event is part of Monumental Sports’ larger “District of Play” initiative, a transformative multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment in expanding access to youth sports and building healthy, vibrant communities in Washington, D.C.
Ted Leonsis, whose vision for Monumental Sports & Entertainment includes a double bottom line strategy to make a positive social impact said, “Growing up in Brooklyn, I vividly remember the joy of receiving my first basketball and spending time at the courts in Sunset Park. It wasn’t just about the game—it was about the sense of community, friendships, and the life lessons learned through sports. Now our organization wants to ensure every child in D.C. has the same opportunity to experience the same benefits, no matter their background or where they live.” And Ted has long held the belief that a ball can change a life, which is why he co-produced the sports documentary, “Kicking It,” narrated by Colin Farrell.
“When kids play sports, they gain confidence, build friendships, and develop lifelong skills like teamwork and perseverance,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “We know that being the Sports Capital isn’t just about our professional teams – it’s also about investing in our youth and making sports and recreation more accessible in our city. We’re grateful that through District Dribble, Ted Leonsis and Monumental Sports are helping put sport and play in reach for more children.”
On Thursday, March 20, 2025, Ted Leonsis will join Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee, and Ward 5 Councilmember Zachary Parker at Browne Education Campus in Northeast D.C. to deliver the first 300 of 29,000 NBA regulation-sized basketballs slated for every DC Public Schools (DCPS) elementary school student. The campaign is utilizing a “District Dribble”-branded double decker bus which will arrive at Browne Education Campus carrying Ted Leonsis, Washington Wizards guard Jaylen Martin and forward JT Thor, Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards and guard Brittney Sykes, and Capital City Go-Go forwards Leaky Black and Mouhamadou “Mo” Gueye, talent from Monumental Sports Network, front office representatives from the Wizards and Mystics, and several other dignitaries.
The bus will arrive and deliver the t-shirts and basketballs, which were designed for both indoor and outdoor play. They feature the official Washington Wizards logo and team colors. This marks a pivotal moment in the exciting, community-wide effort to empower youth, promote physical activity, and provide safe play opportunities.
Delivery Schedule
The basketballs will begin delivery to the 80 schools across the District on Thursday, March 20, at a rate of approximately five schools per day (excluding weekends). Monumental Sports is coordinating with DCPS to arrange the delivery date and time schedule. DCPS is in contact with each of the schools on the plan for distribution to each student and additional information on the deliveries will be communicated to students and their parents directly from their school. The first basketballs will be delivered beginning on March 20th with additional deliveries set to take place over the next several school days, ensuring all students receive their basketballs in time for Spring Break.
The District Dribble bus will make deliveries during school days before returning to public circulation over Cherry Blossom Festival weekend. Wizards and Mystics branded vehicles will then continue the delivery schedule and utilize moving trucks where needed.
About District of Play
The District of Play initiative was launched by Monumental Sports in September 2024. The public-private partnership between Monumental Sports and the District to create a brand-new Capital One Arena included a robust Community Benefits component which Leonsis labeled “District of Play.” This program aims to create positive and accessible spaces for youth to play, grow, and develop lifelong skills in sports, all while engaging parents, coaches, and local communities.
Monumental Sports, under Ted’s leadership, has been a consistent partner in the community supporting the great works of nonprofits like DC Central Kitchen, Martha’s Table, and dozens of others. Coming in the form of direct grants, in-kind donations, and volunteering from athletes and employees – that work of needed assistance will continue across multiple facets of the business.
On top of that, this is a very special moment in the organization’s charitable work to make a significant effort to transform access and opportunity in youth sports as Capital One Arena undergoes its own transformation. This event is meant to spark the experience of fun, building healthy habits and providing students with the accessibility to play and grow their own relationship with sports to pay lifelong dividends.
This investment in D.C.’s youth extends far beyond basketballs. In addition to the basketballs, Monumental’s District of Play initiative includes dozens of commitments. A few highlights below and a full list can be found at www.monumentalsports.com/DistrictOfPlay.
Refurbishing 1 indoor and 2 outdoor basketball courts per year for the next four years
Building a new street hockey rink
Developing playgrounds in each of D.C.’s 8 wards over the next 8 years
Supporting youth sports programming and scholarships, including DPR Youth Basketball, Flag Star Football, and Fort Dupont Ice Arena’s Kids On Ice
Providing transportation to ice rinks for children to learn to skate and try hockey
Investing in local coaching infrastructure through clinics and partnerships with organizations like the Positive Coaches Alliance
Hosting community events such as Back-To-School and Thanksgiving meal-packing initiatives
Thus far, District of Play has had an impact on over 5,700 kids since its September 2024 launch:
Capitals Youth Hockey have introduced 1,200 D.C. children to ice skating and ball hockey through the Rink Pass program and through a partnership with Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena. Free field trips to local ice rinks for skating lessons and ball hockey rinks for hands-on instruction gives kids the opportunity to deepen their engagement with the sport.
Wizards and Mystics Youth Basketball have subsidized Jr. NBA League affiliations for D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation youth basketball leagues, providing jerseys and offering free clinics at the start of the season, reaching over 1,500 kids.
The Wizards hosted a free Coaches Workshop at Entertainment & Sports Arena in Ward 8 where 150 coaches were trained, strengthening the foundation of basketball in D.C.
The Wizards hosted a 3v3 tournament at historic Barry Farm in Ward 8 in partnership with Hoop-it-up, impacting 100 players.
The Wizards have held free or subsidized gameday clinics serving over 250 kids.
The Wizards held an open practice at Thurgood Marshall Academy in Southeast, D.C. attended by 360 students.
Monumental hosted a Hispanic Heritage Clinic for 30+ participants on top of basketball donations benefiting an entire school of nearly 300 students.
The Wizards have partnered with Building Bridges Across the River to support Midnight Basketball, a late-night program offering Ward 8 youth and young adults a safe and engaging recreational space on weekend evenings. It has drawn 60+ players and 200 community members and the season will conclude with the finals and a closing ceremony hosted by the Wizards at the Entertainment & Sports Arena on Saturday, Dec. 21.
Monumental Sports built a new playground at Huntwood Courts Ward 7 in partnership with KABOOM! and Washington Housing Conservancy. Designed by the kids and families who will use it, the play area will serve over 560 children.
Monumental is sponsoring Flag Star Football to fund three key initiatives:
Scholarship Expansion: 38% of kids who play at RFK are on scholarship, and our support helps increase those opportunities.
Preparing Future Business Leaders: Since December, up to 120 young leaders (high school and college athletes) have been meeting for professional development sessions at the arena, hearing from various sports business leaders around the DMV, before attending a Capitals or Wizards game for free.
Girls’ Flag Football Growth: We’re expanding offerings for girls, which also serves as the core project for our interns between training sessions.
The Wizards have sponsored complimentary USA Basketball Licensing for basketball coaches throughout the District. The complimentary USA Basketball Licensing was sent to 83 DCPS schools, permitting 415 coaches to access the licensing, along with aiding approximately 1,200 children in those schools.
The Mystics and the Women’s Sports Foundation hosted a youth sports clinic at American University for D.C.-area girls between the ages of 8-14 years old, who participates in a variety of skills led by the Washington Mystics and AU student-athletes. During the clinic, WSF and MSE offered a parent workshop helped educate guardians about the vital role they play in empowering their children to thrive in sport.
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