Dear fans,
As the Mystics take the court for tonight’s home opener, there’s an unmistakable buzz surrounding the team. We couldn’t be more excited about the growing excitement and demand for our women’s team. But to be clear, this is not surprising; rather, this is our vision coming true. Our ownership group, one of the oldest in the WNBA league, firmly believes in the transformative power of women’s sports and has invested strategically to fill gaps in the market.
The results speak for themselves.
- Rising viewership: Television viewership for WNBA games has skyrocketed, more than doubling from 2019 to 2023, demonstrating an expanding appeal beyond traditional sports demographics.
- Enthusiasm on draft day: Approximately 2.5 million viewers watched the 2024 WNBA Draft in the United States. That’s nearly five times more viewers than last year.
- Initiatives worthy of attention from local fans: Last season, Mystics fans consistently filled Entertainment Sports Arena above capacity, averaging 4,391 attendees per game.
- record sales: First in franchise history to reach seven-figure sales in a single game with the next game against the Fever on June 7 at Capital One Arena. Sales continue to increase daily as excitement for this season grows.
The data speaks louder. She has a clear passion for women’s basketball, especially the Mystics. And we believe that with continued investment, we will continue to see exponential growth. Our roadmap is:
all-in investment: Two years ago, we invested in groundbreaking funding for the WNBA. This is the largest investment in sports facilities for women. This was a business decision and one that showed the industry and fans alike that the Mystics were poised for significant growth. This result allowed the league to make great strides in increasing the popularity of the sport and reaching all potential fans.
Game day experience: Our fans deserve an exceptional experience on game day and we have innovated to meet this expectation.
- Ticketing. We were the first in the league to introduce variable pricing and dynamic pricing, refining the ticket sales experience to deliver the revenue your team needs to continue growing.
- Scalable. If you haven’t been to ESA yet, please go! The atmosphere is electric. And he’s ready to amp up this excitement even further with the ability to move four games a year (plus the playoffs) to Capital One Arena if fan demand exceeds his ESA’s capacity. Masu.
- Capital One Arena renovation work. Most of the improvements to Capital One Arena over the next few years will occur during the Mystics season, so we are evaluating options to maintain this expansion. Our team is ready to adapt and continue our upward trajectory, and we will ensure we provide every opportunity for our team to grow and succeed.
Enhancement of player facilities: Championship success begins with good preparation. Co-located at ESA, the Mystics share practice space with the Wizards and have formed a supportive community. This includes access to the same high-performance facilities and equipment used by the Wizards, ensuring a top-notch training environment. Additionally, Mystics enjoy chef meals tailored to meet their specific nutritional needs, further improving their health and performance. As we develop a new practice facility for the Wizards, the Mystics will be fully equipped with training and staff support, nutrition programs, and specialized enhancements designed to optimize performance for female athletes. It will have facilities.
revolutionize media coverage: We have made great strides in raising the profile of women’s sport. Early in my time with the team, we (successfully) pushed the Washington Post to introduce a dedicated WNBA tab on its website. Now, as chair of the NBA Media Committee, I see firsthand the high value media companies place on women’s sports programming. Providing high-quality programming for fans at home is critical to continuing to grow our fan base, excitement, and brand awareness. Since last season, our organization has been committed to producing, broadcasting and streaming all available Mystics games locally on Monumental Sports Network. Additionally, Monumental Sports Network will continue to be the only local programmer to provide pregame and postgame coverage in addition to live Mystics games. Our network will also debut new original programming and magazine-style documentaries this summer that bring fans closer to our great athletes. So while women’s sports coverage has historically lagged behind men’s in dynamism and depth, we continue to provide the most complete coverage of WNBA teams in the region than any other team in the entire league. We are invested in what we offer and will continue to do so. At-home viewers can expect the same high-quality product from her MNMT that they’ve come to expect from Wizards and Capitals games, tailored specifically for Mystics fans.
Looking back at our journey, the evidence is clear. Our bold bet on the mystics was well-founded. And with each step forward, we reaffirm our commitment to raising the bar even higher. Looking ahead, the WNBA’s media rights are scheduled to be renewed in 2025, making 2024 a critical year in establishing the financial foundation for the next decade. Therefore, to those who doubt the potential of our women’s team, I proudly say this: “That’s what we said.” To our fans, partners and players, I say this. “Don’t worry, we’re just getting started.”
-Ted
