VERSUS evolves; Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic adds to Caps coverage

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Comcast, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, NBC, NBC Universal, New York Rangers, NHL, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Versus, Winter Classic

The National Hockey League continues to pick up assists in the re-shaping process of post-merger Comcast and NBC Universal.

The relationship between the NHL and NBC was solidified with the 10-year television rights agreement reached last April after both VERSUS and NBC saw large audiences tune in for on-ice action.

And now, one year after the Capitals downed the Penguins, 3-1, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh and with an audience that continues to grow, VERSUS’ rebrand will be launched with the coverage of the 2012 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic.

NBC Sports Network will be introduced as the Flyers host the New York Rangers at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, Jan. 2 in the regular season signature game.

“These rebranding efforts are a major step toward a complete strategic alignment of all our platforms and businesses,” said NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus in John Ourand’s story, Exit Versus, enter the NBC Sports Network (subscription required).

This should only enhance coverage of the game and the sport as hockey continues to solidify its footprint in the North American landscape.

On the local front, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has added a new “Capitals Insider,” Chuck Gormley. Read the CSN Press Release: Chuck Gormley Joins Comcast SportsNet as Capitals Insider for Digital Media.

The regional sports network (RSN) who covers the Caps is taking a cue from the home office and dedicating more resources to their hockey team in Washington.

Gormley is no stranger to the rink, or a team facing high-expectations and demanding fans, after covering the Flyers for over two decades.

And even though the RSN’s may take a while before they share any NBC Sports Network branding, it great for all hockey fans that they are on the same page in the quality and quantity realm.

I’m looking forward to all the coverage this season.

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Monumental changes to Washington Wizards brand

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Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, Ted Leonsis, washingtonwizards.com

During a time period where Harry Potter took the world by storm, there was indeed one wizard, or group of them, that were less popular than Lord Voldemort.

The Washington Wizards now attempt to re-engage and energize their fan base by evolving their brand, celebrating the glory days, and sporting a tightened up version of all things visual in their locker room, team store at Verizon Center and marketing department.

No stranger to righting the ship, in the name of Washington, D.C. and its fans, Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman and majority owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, did it again on Tuesday.

You can read the details of the event here or continue on and get a quick re-cap and some screen grabs from the live streaming event and the before and after shots of washingtonwizards.com.

The Colors: Red, white and blue are back, accompanied by a hint of silver at times.

The Jerseys: Sleek-retro? Whatever it is deemed, I’m a fan and feel Monumental took what they learned from the Capitals re-brand a few years ago and wisely didn’t re-invent the wheel.

The Logos: The two they shared include an updated version of the traditional reaching hands (from the Bullets old logo), the Washington Monument and DC. I’m assuming the third is the “Wizard/Crescent Moon” logo in red, white and blue that was absolutely abhorred by fans when it leaked early. In a smart move, the Wizards did not invite the bastard step-logo to the festivities.

The Website:

WashingtonWizards.com before and after. The update just feels right and couldn’t be some generic movie team that plays in some random location. Pride of representing the Nation’s Capital shines through and there is energy between the colors, landmarks and logos.

Thank you Ted, Monumental Sports & Entertainment and everyone with the Wizards, NBA and Adidas that made this happen. I’ll be excited to get my first shirt and hat in the near future and even if my heart is with the Capitals, I will go out of my way to attend at least a couple of Wizards games at Verizon Center next season.

Capitals players recognized in sports business and by fans

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Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, Mike Green, NHLPA, Reebok, Sports Business Journal, Ted Leonsis

April 4 - 10, 2011 issue

It is always fun to flip through a national/international publication and see something from the Washington Capitals being utilized as an example.

This happened over the weekend as I looked at my most recent copy of Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal (April 4-10, 2011).

In an article titled, NHLPA re-signs Reebok, adds more licensees (may require subscription to view), an Alex Ovechkin Capitals player T-shirt is the accompanying image of an article that spans the entire NHL and NHLPA.

What stood out to me was how popular the player T-shirts are to licensees and the NHL/NHLPA. Then I thought about the player T-shirts I have purchased, even though I own some authentic Capitals jerseys.

Twice I have entered Verizon Center with need for red. The first time I was the recipient of last-minute tickets so I had to leave straight from work without time to stop home.

I arrived and immediately went to the Capitals store at VC and purchased a John Carlson “74” player T-shirt, so I could do my part in

Me and my nephew, in his "Greenie" player T-shirt

rocking the red that evening.

The next time was my 5-year-old nephew’s first Caps game. My wife and I met up with my older brother and his 4 kids and the little guy was the only one who did not yet have Caps gear.

I swept him up and we went over to one of the store areas on the concourse.

It was really cool, and my wife and older nephew were excited when Capitals owner Ted Leonsis showed up for some last-minute shopping at the same place, but I was too preoccupied and giddy to see my nephew in his first gear – a Mike Green “52” player T-shirt, that was too big but he should be able to wear for at least a year or 2.

The Capitals lost to the Kings that day, but the experience and the shirt still made it a special experience for the little guy and his older brother and sister.

Check out the available Capitals player T-shirts at NHLshop.com or I’m pretty sure you can find even more options at the team store at Verizon Center.