First-of-its-kind program unifies high school sports programming across entire Monumental portfolio
Washington, D.C. (December 3, 2025) — Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) today announced the launch of Monumental Varsity, a new, comprehensive umbrella brand that unifies and elevates all high school athletics engagement across MSE’s properties, including the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and MSE’s independent media platform Monumental Sports Network (MNMT).
The initiative brings together dozens of MSE programs into one powerful platform designed to celebrate DMV-area student-athletes, expand access to sports industry opportunities, and deepen MSE’s presence in the local high school community. Monumental Varsity will roll out across the 2025–2026 season and integrate marquee live events, community programming, athlete recognition, educational pathways, and in-arena experiences.
“Monumental Varsity embodies our commitment to the young athletes who energize the DMV community,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “This unified platform allows us to celebrate young athletes and bring the entire MSE ecosystem—including our teams and network—into the high school sports community in a more impactful way. We’re proud to create a home for these initiatives that feels fresh, exciting, and built for long-term growth.”
Monumental Varsity Programming
Flagship Events
Basketball Day in the DMV – An annual, region-wide celebration of D.C.-area high school basketball presented by the Wizards and MNMT. The event spotlights top DMV programs with professionally produced broadcasts on MNMT at no cost to schools, showcasing local basketball talent and uniting the community through MSE’s District of Play initiative.
College Signing Day – A flagship annual event at Capital One Arena convening more than 3,000 D.C. high school seniors to celebrate their commitments to college and post-secondary pathways. Held in partnership with DC CAP and anchored this year by an historic $30M investment in college access led by the Leonsis Family, MSE, and the Clark Foundation, the program brings together students, educators, and community leaders for a high-energy celebration of opportunity and the futures D.C. students are building.
Capitals High School Hockey Captains Recognition – In-arena celebration on December 7, 2025, recognizing more than 100 senior high school hockey captains across the region.
Washington Post All-Met Honors on MNMT – An MNMT broadcast special celebrating the region’s top high school athletes. Produced in partnership with The Washington Post, the hour-long program spotlights All-Met Players of the Year across all winter sports, featuring exclusive interviews, appearances from All-Met legends, and behind-the-scenes coverage to elevate the next generation of DMV talent.
Education & Career Pathways
Sports Business Internship Program (with Flag Star Foundation) – In partnership with Flag Star Football, a three-month paid internship for nearly 200 D.C.-area youth (ages 15–24) providing hands-on experience across MSE departments, mentorship from sports business executives, and opportunities to attend Capitals and Wizards games, equipping participants with professional skills and real-world exposure to the sports and entertainment industry.
Capitals Next Gen Collegiate Hockey Combine – An annual DMV showcase and educational program for aspiring collegiate hockey players. The event combines on-ice and off-ice testing, scrimmages, and a college fair, giving local high school athletes and their families insight into future hockey opportunities, while virtual seminars connect students with current players, coaches, and admissions representatives.
Dr. E.B. Henderson Essay Contest – The Wizards’ annual regional scholarship program for DMV high school seniors, running throughout the winter months. In partnership with INROADS, MSE Foundation, and the Leonsis Foundation, the contest honors 10 finalists—including a $5,000 grand prize—celebrating student achievement during Black History Month in February.
Sports Career Day – A decade-long Wizards tradition bringing 1,000+ DMV high school students to MSE for career panels with sports professionals and a college fair featuring 20+ local institutions, providing hands-on learning about pathways in the sports industry.
Competition Platforms
High School Series on Wizards Game Days – Afternoon high school matchups on Capital One Arena’s main court before evening Wizards games, featuring DMV public and private schools. Fans purchase combo tickets for both games, with proceeds from each ticket donated back to the home school to support its athletic programs.
High School Hockey & Capitals Cup Championships – A year-round platform supporting every DMV high school hockey league through the Capitals Cup Hockey Hub, which centralizes stats, schedules, and team pages for more than 200 teams. The Capitals also sponsor each league’s championship series, recognizing winners as Capitals Cup champions and celebrating the region’s players, coaches, and programs through in-person events and season-long content.
Monumental Varsity unifies MSE’s high school initiatives under a cohesive and elevated identity, enabling partners, educators, and community leaders to more seamlessly engage with the full breadth of the organization’s work. By consolidating these efforts, MSE is reinforcing its commitment to elevating sports at every level—youth, high school, collegiate, and professional—across the DMV region.
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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.
