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Three Things We Learned From Ted Leonsis

Three Things We Learned From Ted Leonsis

Ted Leonsis is a true visionary in the sports world. Published by thehockeyresource.com - thefemalehockeyresource.com - thehockeytournamentresource.com

February 23, 2025

Alex Rodriguez

Chairman and CEO, A-Rod Corp | CEO, Slam Corp | LP, Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx

February 13, 2025

Ted Leonsis is a true visionary in the sports world. When he bought the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Washington Capitals in 1999, he didn’t just acquire a team—he built a powerhouse, securing generational talents like Alexander Ovechkin and laying the foundation for Monumental Sports & Entertainment. Today, his portfolio spans the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and the Capital One Arena in downtown D.C.

Leonsis brings a sharp eye for technology and an entrepreneurial mindset to everything he touches, from embracing legalized sports betting to navigating foreign investments. And beyond his business acumen, he’s incredibly engaging and approachable (more on that below).

Here’s what we learned from this week’s episode of The Deal:

Focus on building a strong product.

When it comes to deal-making, Ted Leonsis doesn’t shy away from lessons learned. He was part of what’s often called one of the worst deals in history—the AOL-Time Warner merger. Entire books have been written about how badly it went. For Ted, the biggest misstep was clear: prioritizing profits over product.

“I don’t have an employee, associate, or partner who wakes up in the morning thinking, ‘I’m gonna go generate EBITDA today,’” Ted says. “If you stay true to a mission, create great products, and build authentic relationships—with partners, your board, and your community—success will follow.”

Master the highs and lows.

Athletes and team owners know one undeniable truth: every game has a winner and a loser. Slumps happen, and sometimes, rough seasons stack up. That perspective is why Ted swears by the best business advice he’s ever received:

"Don’t get too high with the highs, and don’t get too low with the lows."

Don't be mean.

It may sound simple, but throughout our conversation, Ted was thoughtful, engaging, and genuinely curious—turning our discussion into a true exchange of ideas. He has a natural empathy and a knack for storytelling, which makes his deal-making philosophy no surprise: "I use niceness as a competitive weapon."

You can hear these lessons and more by listening to The Deal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also tune into the video companion on Bloomberg Originals and on Bloomberg TV. https://link.podtrac.com/0sn3i9w8