Theodore John Leonsis (born January 8, 1957) is an American businessman, investor, filmmaker, writer, philanthropist, and former politician. He is a former senior executive with America Online (AOL), and founder, chairman, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. He is also a founding member and investor in the Revolutionary Growth Fund, which includes investments in FedBid, Resonate Insights, Optoro and CustomInk. He is the founder and chairman of SnagFilms, which produced the documentary film Nanking . The film was awarded 2009 & amp; Emmy Documentary Award. In 2010, he wrote the book The Business of Happiness .
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Leonsis was born on January 8, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York. Born from a family of working class immigrant parents and grandparents working in the factory, who work as waiters and secretaries. When his high school guidance counselor evaluates his expertise, the counselor concludes that young Ted is destined to work in a grocery store. Leonsis also reflects the roots of the working class who are groceries managers are all his father wants. During his youth, Leonsis cut grass to earn extra money. One day while cutting grass, he stumbles when cutting grass belonging to a wealthy stockbroker and a Georgetown alumni named Jim Shannon. Impressed by Leonsis, he helped Leonsis gain recognition to Georgetown University.
He studied at Brooklyn Technical High School, before moving to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Lowell High School in 1973. In 2005, he was honored as one of the Lowell High School Distinguished Alumni to achieve the highest level of achievement and has the highest standards integrity and character. He was first in his family to go to a university where he studied at Georgetown University to pursue an undergraduate study majoring in American studies, and graduated in 1977 over his class. Also during college, Leonsis, with the encouragement of a mentor, Reverend Joseph Durkin, used primitive computer and punch cards for his thesis in which he introduced it to the potential wealth that had to be made in emerging software and personal computer industries of the early 1980s. After graduating from college, he moved back to his parents' home in Lowell and began working for Wang Laboratories as corporate communications manager and Harris Corp as a marketing executive.
Maps Ted Leonsis
Business career
Magazine LIST
Leonsis left Harris Corporation in March 1981 when, at the age of 25, he moved to Florida and started his first business venture. His first attempt was to publish LIST, a technology magazine focused on the personal computing industry. He raised $ 1 million in initial capital with his partner Vincent Pica,. The first edition of this magazine was published in 1982, and was a great success; A copy of $ 50,000 is sold near the cash register, bookstore, and newsstand. Two years later, he sold the company to Thomson Reuters for $ 40 million by giving him $ 20 million.
AOL
In 1987, Leonsis founded a marketing communications company, Redgate Communications Corporation. When the organization was acquired by America Online (AOL) in 1994, Leonsis began working with AOL as a senior executive, remaining with the company for 13 years. Under his leadership, AOL increased its membership from 800,000 members to more than 8 million, while their annual income increased from $ 100 million to $ 1.5 billion. He held various positions at AOL for years there, completing his term and retiring in 2006 as president of a group of audiences and a vice-chairman. In 2014, he served as vice chairman emeritus of AOL.
Monumental & amp; Entertainment
Leonsis is the founder, majority owner, chairman and CEO of Monumental Sports & amp; Entertainment, which features NHL's Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, NBA G League Capital City Go-Go, WNBA's Washington Mystics, and AFL's Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade. Monumental Sports also has Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. and managing George Mason University's Kettler Capitals Iceplex and EagleBank Arena. Formed in 2010 by a merger between Lincoln Holdings Leonsis with Washington Sports & amp; Entertainment, Monumental Sports & amp; Entertainment is the only private company in the top-10 market to own and operate five professional sports teams and the main arena.
- Media
In January 2013, Monumental Sports & amp; Entertainment launched the Monumental Network, a digital platform that serves as a hub for Washington sports and entertainment news. In 2016, the renamed Monrand Sports Network was launched for digital, mobile and over-the-top platforms. The new Monumental Sports Network offers OTT services that provide live streaming of Mystics, Valor and AFL Baltimore games as well as additional live events and games. Monumental and CSN Mid-Atlantic formed a follow-up media partnership that not only expanded CSN's exclusive media rights to the Capital and Wizards but also saw Monumental become an equity partner in CSN. In addition, NBC Sports Group invests in the Monumental Sports Network, becoming an equity partner.
- Management
Leonsis has a "straightforward" approach to the management of his sports team. After purchasing the Wizards, Leonsis criticized the NBA's salary cap at lunch with business leaders. He was fined $ 100,000 by the league, due to "unauthorized public comment about negotiating collective bargaining." Leonsis has been trying to roll back the changes to the Wizards and Capitals franchise that coincided with the opening of Verizon Center in 1997. In 2007, he changed the Capitals team logo and the colors back to their original red, white, and blue, and in May 2011 , received positive responses from the media, fans, players and alumni when the Wizards launched similar red, white and blue schemes, along with the uniforms reminiscent of those worn by teams under their old names, Bullets, when they won the NBA Championship in 1978. In addition, he has been considered to restore the Bullet name to the franchise, although critics say that this would "send a wrong message" about gun violence in Washington.
- Washington Capitals
Leonsis has had Washington's Capital since the spring of 1999, and within that time the team has won ten Southeast Division titles, three Presidential Cups and has recorded more than 200 consecutive sales at Verizon Center (now Capital One Arena).
In the early years of its ownership, the Capital continued to win back-to-back Southeast Division titles in 2000 and 2001, but lost in the first round of playoffs to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In the summer of 2001, the capital was traded for JaromÃÆ'r JÃÆ'¡gr and signed it for what was at the time, the largest contract in NHL history. The trade was greeted enthusiastically by fans and over 300 people showed up at Dulles International Airport to greet JÃÆ'¡gr when he arrived. After JÃÆ'¡gr was traded in 2004, Leonsis was criticized by fans. He was involved in a physical quarrel with a fan, who led Leonsis's mocking spell during the game and lifted a sign that scolded him. In the quarrel, Leonsis grabs and throws the fan to the ground, which also causes a child to fall to the ground. Upon his involvement in the fight, Leonsis was fined $ 100,000. He also received a one week suspension, in which he was banned from making contact with the team. After the incident, Leonsis personally called in fans to apologize for his actions and invited him and his family to watch the game in the owner's box.
In 2009, season ticket holders informed Leonsis of a homeless person, Scott Lovell, who spent his nights sleeping outside Verizon Center. Leonsis finds Lovell a part-time job as a restaurant kitchen worker and gives him a paid and complete apartment, fake toe tickets and season capitals for life. In return, Lovell vowed to remain clean and calm.
In 2010, journalist Damien Cox, author of the Ovechkin Project, Alexander Ovechkin's biography, writes that Leonsis is trying to avoid the NHL's salary when signing the Ovechkin contract. He also alleged that Leonsis bribed bloggers for positive coverage of the Capital. Leonsis said that Cox was upset that he did not receive access to Ovechkin that he wanted and defended his support for the league.
During the 2009-2010 season, the Capital gained the NHL President's Cup as the team finished with the most points in the league during the regular season.
The 2010-2011 season marks the highest presence in franchise history, attracting 754,309 fans. The capital, like any other team, has raised ticket prices in recent years. In 2011, after raising the price of tickets for the fourth year in a row while shrinking the size of the beer sold at Verizon Center, he earned the nickname "Leon $ i $". In 2001, Leonsis claimed to have written a computer program that prevented fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins (first opponent of the Capitals round) buying tickets online. When asked if his actions were unfair, Leonsis stated, "I do not care, I will continue to do so." Again in 2009, he received criticism for preventing visiting team fans from purchasing tickets to playoff capitals.
In the face of community resistance, Leonsis has survived with plans to expand billboards around the Verizon Center. Critics say the sign will make the arena more tacky and underestimated DC Chinatown, Leonsis said it needs to raise an additional $ 20 to 30 million in annual revenue, and a sports expert explains that "an owner burdened with poorer teams is under greater pressure to find sources of income. "Leonsis survived and in March 2013 construction of new signs was announced.
In 2013, Leonsis received a letter about Jack Dibler, a lifetime Capitals enthusiast who was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer. In response, Leonsis sent a Dibler package that included a signed Alexander Ovechkin jersey and a letter inviting Dibler and his family to a game.
On June 7, 2018, Washington Capital won the Stanley Cup Championship by beating the Las Vegas Golden Knights 4 - 3. It was the first win of the Stanley Cup in Washington Capitals history.
- Washington Wizards
Leonsis became the majority owner of the Washington Wizards in June 2010, inheriting a team that has 26 wins and 56 losses over the previous season. Leonsis has used a fan-centric approach to running a franchise, by listening and responding to the Wizards fans' concerns via email and personal sites. On May 10, 2011, Wizards unveiled new color schemes, uniforms and logos. The team returned to its traditional red, white and blue colors. This uniform is very close to the uniform worn by Washington Bullets from 1974 to 1987, during the team's glory years. During Leonsis' tenure as owner, the Wizards have compiled a promising young nucleus of players, including John Wall (No. 1 choice in the 2010 NBA Draft), Bradley Beal (option No. 3 in the NBA Draft 2012) and Otto Porter Jr. (Choose No. 3 in NBA Draft 2013). They also get veterans like NenÃÆ'ª, Paul Pierce and Marcin Gortat in the early Leonsis leadership. Leonsis is chairman of the NBA 2014 media committee negotiating a nine-year extended partnership with Turner Broadcasting and The Walt Disney Company.
In February 2016, construction began in a new training facility for the Wizards. The development is paid by DC taxpayers and DC District-Funded Events while Leonsis's contribution to the $ 55 million cost is considered ceremonial. The Wizards also announced that they will raise ticket prices for the third year in a row.
- Washington Mystics
Leonsis bought the rights to Mystics around the same time he took over the Wizards.
- Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade
On March 10, 2016, Leonsis announced that it purchased an expansion franchise at the Arena Football League (AFL) to play at Verizon Center starting 2017. On March 16, 2016, the announcement was made official by AFL commissioner Scott Butera. On July 14, 2016, the team's name was revealed as Washington Valor. On November 14, 2016, Monumental announced that it has acquired an AFL team that will start playing in 2017 in Baltimore. The team's name was later revealed as the Baltimore Brigade.
SnagFilms
Leonsis is SnagFilms' founder, chairman and largest shareholder, content and technology company with full-service video streaming platform, video content assets and professional journalism, and engaging with creative communities. The company grew out of Leonsis experience as a film producer. In addition to being a leading Internet site to watch and share nonfiction films, the company has an indieWIRE, a news information and networking site targeted at independent filmmakers, movie industry and cinema goers.
His first production was the documentary film Nanking, which was premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The film is based on The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang. It was honored with the 2008 Peabody Awards and News & amp; 2009; The Emmy Documentary Award for Best History Programming (Long Form).
In 2008, Leonsis produced Kicking It, a documentary by Susan Koch about the 2006 Homeless World Cup. The film was narrated by actor Colin Farrell and featured Afghans; Kenya; Dublin, Ireland; Charlotte, North Carolina; Madrid; and Saint Petersburg. The film premiered in January 2008 at the Sundance Film Festival.
The third documentary, A Fighting Chance , tells the story of Kyle Maynard, who became a national rank wrestler, motivational speaker, and bestselling author, despite being born without arms or legs.
In 2013, Leonsis produced the Lost for Life documentary film, which explores juvenile offenders who have been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Money Revolution and Clearspring Technology
Leonsis is the founder of Revolution Money, a company that provides secure payments via an Internet-based platform. In 2009, the company sold to American Express; Leonsis is now on the board of directors of American Express. He is currently Chairman of Clearspring Technologies, an online content sharing network, which connects publishers, services, and advertisers to an audience on the internet.
Personal equity and venture capital
Leonsis is one of the founders and partners of Revolution Growth Fund II, which currently invests in eight companies: Bigcommerce, CustomInk, Echo360, FedBid, Lolly Wolly Doodle, Optoro, Resonate, Sweetgreen, Revolution Foods and Handybook. In a 25-year period, he has personally invested and owned shares in many companies, including Groupon, Google, AOL, Revolution Money, AddThis, Travel Preview (Travelocity), GridPoint, Inside.com (formerly Mahalo), MobilePosse, ObjectVideo, Nations SB, Zedge, Triporati, Private, I-Village, Proxicom, ePals, SnagFilms, MediaBank, Two Harbors, Videology, Algentis, Social Radar, and Forbes travel guides.
Board game design
Leonsis is also co-discoverer of Only In New York, a board game that combines the intelligence and street intelligence needed to make it in New York City. Players move around town answering trivial questions about the city and receiving the letter N.E.W Y.O.R.K by answering at least one question correctly.
Engagement in eSports
Leonsis is a member of the investment group, aXiomatic, which owns Team Liquid, a competitive eSports Team, and has made public statements about Forbes about its engagement in the industry.
Writing career
Leonsis has written a number of books, including Blue Magic: The People, Power and Politics Behind the IBM PC and the Happiness Business: 6 Extraordinary Success Secrets in Work and Life .
Personal life
Leonsis married Lynn Leonsis and they have a son, Zachary, born in 1988 and a daughter, Elle, who was born in 1992. She has been married to Lynn since August 1987. She is a big fan of sports and music, especially Jimi Hendrix , The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley. He recalled his experience with music when Leonsis was expelled from school and when his parents came home from work where music helped him fill the void during his spare time.
In early 2011, Leonsis purchased 13 hectares of land in Potomac, Maryland. He acquired the property for $ 20 million after selling homes in McLean, Virginia and Vero Beach, Florida. The 20,000-square-foot plantation (1,900m 2 ) used to be the home of Joseph P. Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt's summer home, and owned by the Gore family from 1942 to 1995. Leonsis bought a home from Chris Rogers, a a telecommunications executive who acquired Leonsis's home in McLean.
Politics
Leonsis has served as mayor of Orchid, Florida. Leonsis was involved in politics after he had run a friend's campaign for Congress and worked as an apprentice for Paul Tsongas office in Washington, D.C. He has contributed to Barack Obama's campaign during the 2008 and 2012 elections and Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Philanthropy
As vice chairman of Washington 2024, Leonsis took the lead role in guiding the region's bid for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2024. In June 2014, the United States Olympic Committee identified Washington and three other cities as potential locations.
Leonsis is the founder of the Leonsis Foundation, which supports children "overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals". Through the Leonsis Foundation, Sports and Monumental Sports & amp; The Entertainment Foundation, SnagFilms and the family's personal gift, more than 400 charities are served and supported over the past 12 months. Charities and causes include best friends, DC Central Kitchen, View Forever Foundation, Venture Philanthropy Partners, Street Soccer USA, YouthAIDS, GlobalGiving.org, DC-CAP, DC College Success Foundation, Potomac School, Georgetown University, Children's Hospital, Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Alliance for Lupus Research, Serving DC, Fort Dupont Ice Arena and Ice Hockey Club, USO Metropolitan Washington, Capital Food Bank Area, Flashes of Hope, Inova Health Systems Foundation, UNICEF, obesity prevention and many local schools, cancer research and awareness programs.
Board membership
- SnagFilms - Founder Chair
- Groupon - Chairman of the Board of Directors
- AddThis - Former chairman and member of the Board of Directors
- American Express - Board Member
- Georgetown University - Member of the Board of Directors (2008-2009)
- FedBid - Board Member
- Resonate - Board Member
- Optoro - Board Member
- DC-CAP (Columbia University College Access Program) - Board of Directors Members
- College Success Foundation (CSF), District of Columbia - Board of Directors
Awards and awards
- 2001: Best Entrepreneur of the Year - Washington Business Journal and
- 2001: Washingtonian of the Year - Washingtonian magazine
- 2009: Washington Tech Titans - Washingtonian Magazine
- 2010: Washington Business Hall of Fame - Junior Achievement in Greater Washington
- 2010: John Carroll Award - Georgetown University
- 2013: 50 of Virginia's most influential people - Virginia Business magazine
- 2013: No. 1 PowerPlayer Sports in Maryland
- 2016 Greater Washington Urban League, Unsung Philanthropic Award
Works published
- Leonsis, Ted (1984). IBM Master Software for PC (128k) , Warner Software, 323 pages. ISBN: 978-0446381253
- Leonsis, Ted (1984). Software Master for Pes: Apple Version (48k) , Warner Software. ISBN: 978-0446381772
- Chposky, James; and Ted Leonsis (1988). Blue Magic: The People, Power and Politics Behind the IBM Personal Computer , Facts on File Publication, 228 pages. ISBN 978-0816013913
- Leonsis, Ted (2010). Happiness Business: 6 Extraordinary Success Secrets in Work and Life , Regnery Publishing, 256 pages. ISBN 978-1596981140
References
External links
- Official website
- Appearance in C-SPAN
- C-SPAN Questions & Answers; Interview with Leonsis, May 9, 2010
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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