Leonsis to receive special recognition on October 21 at Blue Star Families’ Annual Celebration event
WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 16, 2025) — Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner, and CEO Ted Leonsis will receive the prestigious Connie J. Milstein Philanthropic Award from Blue Star Families at their Annual Celebration, taking place on Tuesday, October 21 at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The honor celebrates Leonsis’ longstanding commitment to supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
Blue Star Families—the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to serving military and veteran-connected families—will recognize Leonsis for his leadership in championing meaningful military-related community programming, partnerships, and recognition efforts across the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and other MSE platforms. This year’s Blue Star Families Annual Celebration will bring together military families, civic leaders, and corporate partners to spotlight those making a measurable difference in the lives of service members and their loved ones.
The award is named after Connie J. Milstein, a prominent philanthropist and long-time supporter of the military and veterans’ communities. It is presented annually to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and generosity in supporting military families and addressing the challenges they face.
“At Monumental, we’re proud to use the platform of sports to honor and uplift our military community. I’m deeply humbled to receive this recognition from Blue Star Families, an organization that does so much to empower and unite those who serve our nation,” said Leonsis. “I’ve always believed that those who serve—and the families who serve alongside them—deserve not only our gratitude, but our active support.”
Mr. Leonsis will be joined by MSE executive AJ Jones II, who serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer and a member of the Blue Star Family Board, in acceptance of the award.
MSE and its teams fervently support the military community through the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation and partnerships with organizations such as TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), the USO, and more, with more than $1.5 million donated to military charities since 2010. Each year, MSE and its teams also host a range of military-focused initiatives, including the Capitals’ annual Military Appreciation Night, as well as community events and in-game recognitions for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
In 2016, Leonsis was awarded the U.S. Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor given to a civilian not employed by the Navy, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to military morale and community support.
Recipients of the Connie J. Milstein Philanthropic Award are typically individuals or organizations from a variety of sectors, including government, business, non-profit, and the military itself. The award recognizes philanthropic efforts in areas such as healthcare, mental health, education, employment, and other areas that can help improve the quality of life for military families.
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About Monumental Sports & Entertainment
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is one of America’s leading integrated sports and entertainment companies and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.
