NBA owner’s 101 changes for franchise. Less “de-fense” chants & warmer pizza are two. Check out the full list…

Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Ted Leonsis, owner for the Wizards is promoting 101 new changes & possible name switch.  If the Washington Wizards look a little different this season, it’s because they’re very, very different.

101 ways after the jump…

List of 101 Signs of Visible Change

1. More transparency concerning strategy and plans via more connection with fans Frequent updates on TedsTake.com; provide public insight in team development strategy; 10,000 touch points in first 100 days
2. Reconnect with Gilbert Arenas Met with Gilbert and connected in person and via
e-mail
3. Open some practice sessions to the public Training camp held at GMU with some practice sessions and scrimmage open to the public
4. Visible involvement with local youth basketball Hired a Director of Camps and Clinics
5. Additional benefits for season-ticket holders VIP ticket holders get free drinks and food; improved parking
6. Improve game presentation and halftime entertainment Will be showing 3D video on opening night and periodically during the season; invested in Crowd Wave technology; upgraded sound and light systems
7. Re-engage with alumni for more participation; launch alumni program Launched Wizards/Bullets Alumni Association led by Bobby Dandridge
8. More season-ticket holder access to the owner Have held dozens town hall meetings and other events with season-ticket holders
9. Create additional “dream seats” and enhance amenities Added 8 new courtside dream seats for Wizards games; added amenities for VIP ticket holders
10. Different Wizards’ cheerleader and Red Rockers’ outfits New outfits will be ready for opening night
11. Redesign WashingtonWizards.com; improve video options Website redesign completed
12. A new public address announcer Ralph Wesley named PA announcer
13. A new LED scorer’s table Installed new scorer’s table with LED display
14. Additional local cable programming Comcast SportsNet dedicated pregame shows
15. Improved recognition of longtime season-ticket holders In-development
16. Improved quality of promotional giveaways In-development
17. Renew connection with our fans in Baltimore Working on events for Baltimore fans
18. Fan access to additional in-game statistical information In-development
19. More organ music More organ music
20. Eliminate the “Dee-Fence” chant Eliminated
21. Move training camp close to D.C. Opened local training camp at the Patriot Center (GMU) with midnight tip-off
22. Maintain connection to Pollin family and charities Continued support for Abe’s Table
23. Develop student discount opportunities for local colleges Will institute student rush nights
24. More community involvement in Virginia George Mason University
25. More community involvement in Maryland In-development
26. Draft and develop international players Kevin Seraphin and Yi Jianlian
27. More local celebrities at games Owners’ Club program launched
28. Change Wizards’ colors back to red, white and blue In-development
29. Increased emphasis on the Wizards D-League team In-development
30. Draft more local college players for Wizards Under consideration
31. Change Wizards’ team name to Bullets Under consideration
32. Increase efficiency at concession stands Speeding up order-taking process at stands; roaming vendors
33. Improve arena lighting See: No. 6
34. Upgrade sound system; additional speakers installed See: No. 6
35. Ensure condiment containers are refilled Instructed vendors to make sure condiment containers are never empty
36. Launch environmentally friendly initiatives Capitals’ and Wizards’ media guides available in digital format; more recycling bins; looking at other Green initiatives
37. Fresher popcorn Asked Aramark to make sure popcorn is always fresh
38. Fresher buns See: No. 37
39. Warmer pizza Turned up heat in ovens
40. Place renewed emphasis on general cleanliness and food safety Working with Aramark to make Verizon Center best-in-class
41. Wi-Fi access WiFi access is now available
42. Food and beverage vendors in stands Beer and peanut vendors in stands at games
43. Colder beer Turned up the cooling system
44. Red white and blue more noticeable in the area Painted garage red, white and blue; arena steps red
45. Improved cell phone reception Working with cell phone carriers to install antenna and improve reception
46. Better iPhone connectivity See: No. 41
47. New usher uniforms Ushers have new game-day uniforms
48. Improve training for ushers In-development
49. Coordinate with metro to improve scheduling and avoid delays In-development
50. Add historic photographs throughout arena Have added memorabilia and photos around Verizon Center
51. Improve parking for plan-holders Added parking as an amenity for VIP ticket holders
52. Increased number of merchandise items In-development
53. Improved amenities on club level Working with Aramark and Levy to provide additional offerings
54. Additional vegetarian food options Will be offering expanded menu of vegetarian food options
55. Kosher food options added to menu Offering kosher food options
56. “Local flavor” to be added to concession menus In-development
57. Improved and upgraded suite amenities Have upgraded a number of suites including Owner’s Suite and Owner’s Club
58. Cleaner mirrors in the bathrooms More Windex issued to staff
59. Install beverage shelf in the men’s restrooms Beverage shelves installed
60. Repair latches in the women’s restrooms Latches fixed
61. Increased efforts to combat ticket scalping near arena Working with DC police to combat problem
62. Paper towels always available, even if hand dryers are present Taken steps to ensure that paper towel dispensers are re-filled during games
63. Replace stained and worn carpet in patron areas Have installed new carpet where needed
64. Improved Verizon Center signage New banners on exterior of building; new images depicting Capitals, Mystics and Wizards history on concourse
65. New banners recognizing team accomplishments See: #64
66. New concourse images of current players and legends See: #64
67. Added memorabilia items for display in suites Some suites upgraded
68. Clean arena windows more frequently In-development
69. Increased messages asking fans to be respectful of others Done
70. Concession e-mail feedback option on the Verizon Center website In-development
71. Paint stairs red Thousands of stairs painted red
72. Paint the garage Garage painted red, white and blue
73. Acela Club redesign Completed and tickets being sold
74. Add ledge seating to Acela Club Completed and tickets being sold
75. Add standing room only seats for Capitals Completed and tickets being sold
76. New Owners’ Club suite Owner’s Suite and Owner’s Club renovated
77. New executive offices Offices renovated
78. Upgrade the online “will call” process In-development
79. Food and beverage directory to be available online In-development
80. Additional TDD offerings at the Verizon Center In-development
81. Offer valet parking for VIP ticket holders Done
82. Concierge service available at the Verizon Center In-development
83. Owner commitment to blog regularly about all teams – Capitals, Mystics and Wizards TedsTake.com
84. Combined ticket packages including Capitals, Mystics and Wizards Available and on-sale
85. Partner with restaurants and businesses to provide discounts for fans Discount coupons for season-ticket holders
86. The Owner’s Suite to be used for charitable purposes Owners host many events in the suite
87. Keep toilet paper stock in bathrooms Staff asked to ensure toilet paper dispensers are never empty
88. Less random discounting of tickets Done
89. More autograph sessions Capitals’ Convention; Wizards’ FanFest
90. More music variety Done
91. More stand-alone concession carts Done
92. Social media tweetups Done
93. Improve media room Will install new carpet, tables and chairs
94. Create more energy in the arena New videos, music and technology
95. More equitable distribution of prizes to various sections In-development
96. Create a “basketball junkies” ticket package including Wizards, Mystics and Hoyas In-development
97. Additional iPhone applications In-development
98. Work with city to increase visible levels of security around Verizon Center Done
99. Text for service capability in arena for all fans Done
100. Upgrade family rooms for players and friends Done
101. New ways to clean arena by fans In-development