Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Washington Wizards: Verizon Center Officially Becomes Capital One Arena

By Ryan Eugene

WASHINGTON - MAY 13: An exterior view of the Verizon Center prior to the game between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on May 13, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Penguins defeated the Capitals 6-2 to move into the semifinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON - MAY 13: An exterior view of the Verizon Center prior to the game between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center on May 13, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Penguins defeated the Capitals 6-2 to move into the semifinals. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Washington Wizards brass announced the new naming rights deal many had expected on Wednesday. The deal is now official.

Mark it up. The final step in the announcement of the naming rights switch of Verizon Center, came yesterday. Monumental Sports and Entertainment released the press release on its website. You can read it here.

Noteworthy points. The new name begins immediately, while the branding and signage outside the arena will be changed in the fall. Heck, even the Wikipedia page has already been updated.

Wizards owners Ted Leonsis spoke on the decision.

"“Capital One is one of the most influential local businesses in our region over the last two decades, so we couldn’t be more pleased to partner with another homegrown company to create more incredible memories for sports fans, music fans, families and friends all across our region,” said Ted Leonsis, Founder, Majority Owner and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment. “Capital One shares our deep commitment to both economic and philanthropic investment in the larger Washington, D.C. community and we look forward to working closely with them. We are also proud today to be announcing a significant investment by Monumental Sports and Entertainment to continue improving the arena experience for every fan who comes through our doors. We want every fan’s experience at Capital One Arena to be monumental.”"

The Wizards played in Verizon Center from 2006 to 2017. Many young Wizards fans may only remember the building as Verizon Center, and certainly the team’s best moments in the building occurred under the Verizon Center moniker. John Wall‘s shot to win Game 6 of the conference semifinals ends up being the last made basket in Verizon Center, and probably the biggest shot made.

This Twitter account summed up my feelings exactly:

Fans will be excited to hear about $40 million in planned upgrades to the facilities as well, including cutting edge technology, as the building could certainly use some technological and aesthetic upgrades. Ted Leonsis has been eager to get a new naming rights deal signed, and the team finally has that.

Check out the official announcement video below:

Next: How the Washington Wizards Have Spent Their Summer Vacation

Now all we need is a fan favorite nickname, like Cap Centre.

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