Wiz of Awes
Fansided

Why aren’t more Marylander’s Wizards fans?

By Omaryan White

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 07: A detailed view of the basketball used during the second half of the game between the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on November 7, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 07: A detailed view of the basketball used during the second half of the game between the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on November 7, 2021 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Wizards were once a Maryland team, yet after their move to D.C. many fans didn’t follow. Why? 

Growing up in Annapolis, Maryland, I was and remain the only Wizards fan out of my age group amongst my friends. I have always had a love for Wizards basketball, and didn’t understand why my peers didn’t share the same feelings. Was it because of the lackluster seasons in the past? Or was it simply because the area I was living in didn’t have an immediate connection to D.C.?

As some may know, the DMV stands for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. It sounds simple, but the phrase doesn’t actually apply to the entire state of Maryland or Virginia. Geographically, the term DMV is used to describe the surrounding areas of D.C., better known as the metro area. This area doesn’t include much of Maryland. Cities like Baltimore, Annapolis, and even parts of Maryland like the Eastern Shore aren’t the DMV.

Baltimore, a basketball city that has produced dozens of NBA players, has been without an NBA team for over 40 years. Although the Wizards are within a 30-mile radius of the Baltimore area, many fans have yet to embrace them as their team.

How to fix these issues? 

I believe that the best way to connect the franchise to more Marylanders would be to hold more open practices, social events, and team sponsored fan gatherings outside of the “DMV”. Many cities and counties in the Baltimore and eastern shore area would love to support the Wizards, but feel as though the Wizards are D.C.’s team. Yes, many Marylanders like myself are Wizards fans, but far too often they’re not. It’s time for a change. The Wizards are Maryland, Virginia and D.C.’s team!

Home/Wizards News