DC Sports

Monumental Sports & Entertainment, parent of the NBA’s Washington Wizards, today announced a new premium, luxury experience for Wizards games at Capital One Arena to bring fans closer to the action, the energy from the players and the unmatched excitement of NBA basketball.

Wizards Courtside Lofts will be the newest, and one of the most unique and exclusive premium seating products at Capital One Arena. Each Courtside Loft will feature a private reserved dining table accommodating four to six guests, featuring a curated five-course dining experience, along with access to a full menu of beer, wine, and cocktails, all served directly to your seat by a dedicated service team. Courtside Loft clients will also receive their choice of transportation benefit, complimentary parking or Uber ride credits, as well as access to all Wizards VIP membership benefits, including exclusive VIP events, gift items, and much more.

Joe Gibbs, former Washington coach who won three Super Bowls with the team, released the following statement following the official announcement of a purchase/sale agreement between the Washington Commanders and a partnership led by Montgomery County native Josh Harris:

“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Josh Harris and the leadership team during this process and fully support his efforts to lead the new ownership group of the Commanders. The NFL has grown a great deal since my time as a coach in this League, but what hasn’t changed is my belief that with great leadership from the top, the drive to win on the field and a commitment to culture – championship teams are created. Josh and his team share these values and I am committed to doing what I can to re-connect this great franchise to the community, fanbase, and alumni.”

The D.C. Defenders will face the Arlington Renegades in the 2023 XFL Championship Game. The 2023 XFL Championship Game will be played at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT Saturday, May 13 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas and will air nationally on ABC.

D.C. Defenders quarterback Jordan Ta’amu has been named the 2023 XFL Offensive Player of the Year. Ta’amu helped lead the Defenders to a 9-1 regular season record and a berth in the XFL Championship Game. All of the 2023 XFL awards were voted on by each team’s respective head coach and/or Director of Player Personnel.

Per American University: Nationally recognized assistant coach and legendary DMV basketball star Duane Simpkins has been hired to usher in a new era of American University men’s basketball, announced Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Billy Walker. Simpkins is the 18th head coach in the history of the program.

Simpkins comes to American after eight seasons on the staff at George Mason, working alongside two head coaches during his tenure. During his time in Fairfax, Simpkins helped guide the Patriots to a series of new program bests within the Atlantic 10. Mason set or matched A-10 program bests in league wins and tournament seeds in four seasons during his tenure. The Patriots matched a program best with 11 Atlantic 10 victories in 2022-23, and finished at 20-13 overall.

DJ Swearinger has signed with the DC Defenders of the XFL, who are currently in possession of a 61 record, the best in the league. Swearinger was a second round draft pick, drafted 57th overall by the Houston Texans, in the 2013 NFL Draft. His NFL career spanned nearly a decade, with stops in Tampa Bay, Arizona, Washington, Oakland, New Orleans, and Indianapolis, earning nearly $19 million overall during that time.

Recently, Swearinger hinted at returning to football when he tweeted, “My son say he want me to play football again. I told em I wan play too. Xfl hit me up saying they need me. If it ain the nfl I can’t really rock. Respectfully. That’s hustling backwards & a step down on my legacy I feel but maybe that’s ego talking or maybe that’s just facts???” to an overwhelming positive and supportive response, urging him to return to football.

Georgetown University announced today that Patrick Ewing will no longer serve as Head Men’s Basketball Coach and that it has begun a national search for new leadership of the program. Ewing was at Georgetown for six years with a 75-109,l record (.408 W-L%). In the last two seasons, Georgetown was 6-25 and 7-25.

Georgetown President John J. DeGioia said, “Patrick Ewing is the heart of Georgetown basketball. I am deeply grateful to Coach Ewing for his vision, his determination, and for all that he has enabled Georgetown to achieve. Over these past six years, he was tireless in his dedication to his team and the young men he coached and we will forever be grateful to Patrick for his courage and his leadership in our Georgetown community.”

The Washington Commanders announced today that they have placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne. Payne will earn $18.937 million on the tag if he and the Commanders cannot come to an agreement on a long-term deal, which would give him the fourth-highest annual salary among defensive tackles. Spotrac projects his market value as $19.49million a year.

Last season, Payne played and started all 17 games and recorded a career high 64 total tackles (33 solo), 11.5 sacks, 20 QBH’s, five passes defensed, and one fumble recovered. Payne finished the season becoming the seventh defensive tackle in franchise history to be selected to a Pro Bowl.