Capitals and Wizards to each have five Spanish-language TV broadcasts during 2024-25 season, a first among the four major sports leagues in D.C.
Other alternate broadcasts to feature prominent D.C. media personalities and influencers in vibrant new formats
Washington, D.C. (October 9, 2024) – Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) announced today a dynamic, revamped slate of alternate broadcasts for Washington Capitals and Wizards games during the 2024-25 seasons. The alternate broadcasts – available on both linear TV and popular streaming devices – are designed to complement the traditional game broadcast and will feature a loaded lineup of top sports broadcasting talent, major D.C. media figures, fan-favorite Capitals and Wizards alumni, and well-known celebrities and influencers.
“This season’s expanded and reimagined alternate broadcasts represent a pioneering step in the regional sports media landscape and set a new standard for fan engagement,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). “By delivering unique broadcasts featuring some of the top talent from the D.C. sports and media world, we’re doing more with our live rights than ever before.”
As part of the new format, both the Capitals and Wizards will have 20 live alternate broadcasts throughout the upcoming season, airing on newly rebranded overflow channel M2. MNMT’s alternate broadcasts will be divided into four new brands:
Monumental Deportes: NHL/NBA En Vivo
MNMT will offer five Capitals and five Wizards Spanish-language broadcasts during the upcoming season. These broadcasts will be the first Spanish-language local TV broadcasts among the four major sports teams (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) in D.C. Moisés Linares will serve as the network’s Spanish-language play-by-play voice for both teams, with Carlos Rossell (Capitals) and Greivis Vásquez (Wizards) providing color commentary.
The Capitals Spanish-language broadcast will debut on Tuesday, Oct. 15 against the Vegas Golden Knights when the team hosts Hispanic Heritage Night. The first Wizards Spanish-language broadcast will air during the NBA Mexico City Game 2024 against the Miami Heat on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Other Capitals Spanish-language games are Monday, Nov. 25 at Florida, Tuesday, Jan. 14 vs. Anaheim, Thursday, March 20 vs. Philadelphia, and Tuesday, April 1 at Boston. The remaining Wizards Spanish-language games are Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Dallas, Monday, Dec. 30 vs. New York, Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Milwaukee, and Monday, March 31 vs. Miami.
“With our vibrant Hispanic community in the DMV, adding Spanish-language broadcasts is a vital step in broadening our audience and fostering a greater sense of inclusion for everyone,” added Friday Abernethy, General Manager of MNMT. “By making Capitals and Wizards games accessible in Spanish, we’re not only connecting with the dynamic Hispanic community in the D.C. area, but also inviting a wider range of fans to join in the excitement with content delivered in language and in culture.”
Monumental FM
This format will feature stalwarts of D.C.’s vibrant sports and morning radio scenes putting their Capitals and Wizards fandom on full display. Longtime sports radio morning hosts The Sports Junkies (106.7 The Fan, MNMT) will lead must-watch alternate broadcasts for both teams, while Wizards radio talent Dave Johnson and Glenn Consor will also host Radio Party episodes with popular voices from around the D.C. media scene.
Monumental FM will premiere on the Wizards side on Friday, Nov. 22 vs. Boston. Alternate broadcast dates for The Sports Junkies and others will be announced soon.
Monumental Connect
In this interactive format, Monumental’s alternate broadcasts will focus on fan engagement throughout the game. Monumental Connect broadcasts will often be filmed on-location at various hot spots around D.C., including popular bars and restaurants, and will include fun interactions with the live audience, giveaways, and compelling social media content to engage with fans. These broadcasts will feature a variety of well-known D.C. influencers and popular figures, such as Anthony Polcari (“Tony P in DC”).
Monumental Connect will debut on Saturday, Oct. 19 for the Capitals and on Thursday, Oct. 24 for the Wizards during their game against the Boston Celtics. Polcari will first appear on an alternate broadcast during the Friday, Dec. 20 Capitals game vs. Carolina. Filming locations and additional dates will be announced throughout the season.
Monumental Legends
During Legends alternate broadcasts, Capitals and Wizards fans will be treated to real-time analysis of that night’s game and appearances by prominent team alumni and other notable figures from the NBA and NHL. Talent will share exciting, behind-the-scenes stories from their playing days and discuss the hottest topics around the NBA and NHL.
The first Wizards Legends broadcast will take place on Monday, Nov. 4 vs. Golden State, featuring JP Finlay, Steve Buckhantz, and Tony Massenburg. The first Capitals Legends broadcast will debut on Saturday, Nov. 9 vs. St. Louis. More to be announced in the coming weeks.
Alternate Broadcast Talent
MNMT’s Spanish-language broadcast booth will feature the Emmy-winning Linares, who joins MNMT after working with NBC4 WRC and Telemundo for several years. He currently serves as a play-by-play announcer for MLS Season Pass and DC United, as well as the Spanish voice for the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
A 20-year broadcasting veteran, Rossell has been an analyst on ESPN’s Spanish-language hockey telecasts for several years. Vazquez is entering his second season at MNMT after a decorated career at the University of Maryland and six seasons in the NBA.
Regularly appearing talent for Capitals alternate broadcasts include Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan FM, former Capitals forward and Stanley Cup champion Devante Smith-Pelly, former Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner, former Capitals goaltender Brent Johnson, former Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau, and Tarik El-Bashir of MNMT.
Regularly appearing talent for Wizards alternate broadcasts includes JP Finlay of 106.7 The Fan FM, NBC4 WRC, and MNMT, former Wizards center Jason Smith, former Wizards play-by-play announcer Steve Buckhantz, former Wizards color commentator Phil Chenier, former Loyola (MD) and Siena head coach Jimmy Patsos, and former University of Maryland standout and NBA veteran Tony Massenburg.
This year’s dynamic alternate broadcast lineup represents the latest step in MNMT’s mission to deliver the most robust local sports programming to D.C. fans. In April, MNMT aired five alternate Capitals broadcasts and three Wizards alternate broadcasts during the final weeks of the 2023-24 seasons as a proof of concept.
Last month, the network announced the launch of Monumental+, an upgraded state-of-the-art app that supercharges the streaming experience for D.C. sports fans and sets a new bar for regional media platforms. As part of the app upgrade, fans will have access to an innovative multi-view feature that puts fans in control of how they watch the game, by allowing up to four streams on a screen at once. As part of this feature, Monumental+ will offer the ability to watch Capitals and Wizards games simultaneously when they play on the same night, as well as the freedom to watch the main broadcast and alternate broadcasts simultaneously on the same screen.
All Capitals and Wizards alternate broadcasts will be available both on linear TV and via Monumental’s digital streaming platform within the network’s footprint. Fans can watch the broadcasts through their TV provider, on monumentalplus.com, or by downloading the Monumental+ app on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV and using eligible TV provider credentials.
Fans without a TV provider who are interested in watching the alternate broadcasts and receiving other outstanding benefits can purchase an annual direct-to-consumer membership priced at $199.99 per year at monumentalplus.com (savings of $39.89 per year compared to 12 months of a monthly subscription). Monthly memberships with access to all live games on MNMT, alternate broadcasts, and app-exclusive features are available at $19.99 per month. Fans with a TV provider that carries MNMT can enjoy the same app and consumer benefits as annual subscribers for free if they create a Monumental+ account with their TV provider credentials.
As the seasons get underway, fans who purchase an annual subscription by Thursday, Oct. 31 will unlock a “Subscribe & Score” benefit and receive two tickets to a select 2024-25 Wizards or Capitals game of their choosing.
MNMT is the exclusive local television media rights holder for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go. It also proudly boasts a comprehensive schedule of original programming and live men’s and women’s college basketball, college football, college volleyball, high school basketball, and esports, as well as Washington Spirit (NWSL), Old Glory DC (Major League Rugby), Washington Freedom (Major League Cricket), Hershey Bears (AHL), and Annapolis Blues (NPSL) games.
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About Monumental Sports Network
Monumental Sports Network is wholly owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). The network holds exclusive local television media rights for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards and WNBA’s Washington Mystics games. MNMT is also the TV and digital home to the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content and original sports and entertainment programming. The network also boasts the most comprehensive regional high school and collegiate sports programming in the greater Washington D.C. metro area. For more, visit: www.monumentalsportsnetwork.com.