Featured image credit: Craig Hunter Ross
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) has announced United Airlines as the first founding partner of its Capital One Arena renovation project.
The wide-ranging deal also names United as the official global airline partner of MSE, which will grant the airline branding and integration opportunities with the NBA’s Washington Wizards, NHL’s Washington Capitals and WNBA’s Washington Mystics, as well as Capital One Arena.
The multi-year deal will cover the entire MSE enterprise and will feature unique activations for fans, including VIP experiences through United’s MileagePlus Exclusives.
MSE is planning a major revamp of Capital One Arena, with the company aiming to create a “revitalised entertainment destination” in Downtown D.C.
Back in March, MSE reached an agreement with the District of Columbia to revamp Capital One Arena after dropping plans for an entertainment district in Virginia that would have housed a new arena for the Wizards and Capitals.
The District has committed to financing of $500m (£377m/€452m) towards a renovation of Capital One Arena, and will provide an additional $15m towards improvements of the alley connecting the venue to the Gallery Place shopping centre.
Ted Leonsis, founder and chairman of MSE, has invested over $200m in Capital One Arena in his 14 years as owner. MSE’s plans for a new entertainment district in Alexandria, Virginia could have seen the Wizards and Capitals relocate as soon as 2028, but the two teams will now remain in D.C. following the agreement announced in March.
United, which employs nearly 8,000 people in the D.C. area, will benefit from brand exposure in the current Capital One Arena, as well as the “ultra-modernised” venue.
Leonsis said: “As we begin to introduce the marquee brands who will join us in shaping the transformation of Capital One Arena into a state-of-the-art entertainment destination, we warmly welcome United Airlines as a founding partner.
“This new collaboration not only links two iconic brands but underscores our shared commitment to connecting people all over the world and enhancing the customer experience – whether in the air, in the arena, or anywhere in between.”
United president Brett Hart added: “Whether in the skies or on the ground, United’s commitment across the D.C. region runs deep and we’re thrilled to be the founding partner of this exciting transformation to further the District as a world-class sports and entertainment destination for Washingtonians and visitors alike.
“Beyond rooting for the beloved home teams on the court and ice, our partnering with Monumental Sports & Entertainment also unites us in our shared values of deepening community giving, outreach and investment across the Greater Washington region.”
Last week, MSE stepped up its association with professional services firm KPMG, which will play a key role in the renovation of Capital One Arena.
As MSE’s official consulting and advisory partner, KPMG will help enhance the fan experience and community impact of the current Capital One Arena and will also guide the technology transformation and modernisation of the facility.
The Capital One Arena financing package was signed off in April, but there has been little news since then regarding what is planned for the venue.
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