Monumental Sports Network has announced that the financial services platform Robinhood will be integrated as a new partner within broadcast coverage for the Washington Wizards. Through this partnership, which comes just after the company was announced as being featured on jersey patches, it will be able to leverage media integrations within numerous properties related to the team and its programming. Robinhood will be the presenting sponsor for Wizards Postgame Live, along with in-game features and commercials throughout the broadcast. The Robinhood mission – to democratize finance for all – will be regularly disseminated through Wizards radio broadcasts and be featured both in Capital One Arena and billboards throughout the region.
The regional sports network, which recently rebranded from NBC Sports Washington in September, is estimated to reach over 3.2 million homes in the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia marketplaces. This first-of-its-kind partnership positions Robinhood for increased exposure through the power of Monumental Sports Network and the Washington Wizards. Robinhood concluded its most recent fiscal quarter with 10.8 million monthly active users on its mobile app, which first launched in 2015, and gives users the ability to trade stock and utilize other financial services.
“We’re excited to take our partnership with Robinhood even further beyond the Wizards jersey patch to include one of our newest and most impactful platforms – Monumental Sports Network,” Jim Van Stone, president of business operations and chief commercial officer at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement. “Via our local linear and digital network, the potential for Robinhood’s expansion through our fanbase is limitless.”
The jersey patch deal places the Robinhood logo on the upper left shoulder of the uniform adjacent to the Nike swoosh. Although financial details of the deal were not revealed, the agreement is said to be a multi-year deal that runs through the 2025-26 campaign. These patches make their debut on Wednesday night for the Wizards’ season opener against the Indiana Pacers ahead of the team’s home opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, Oct. 28.
The home opener coincides with Robinhood beginning as a presenting sponsor for the game broadcast itself and multiple in-arena elements. There will be an on-court recognition of the partnership at the first-quarter break, along with an exclusive interview with Baiju Bhatt, Robinhood chief creative officer and co-founder.
“[Vladimir Tenev] and I both grew up in Virginia and we are excited to be back and become a mainstay of D.C. sports and unite with a team dedicated to representing the vibrant and diverse region it plays for,” Bhatt said in a statement. “Basketball is my favorite sport and has been a lifelong passion.”
In the 13 months since its acquisition – including the month following its launch – the regional sports network has reached 85% of Wizards fans who did not attend a game in person over the last year through both its linear and digital platforms. A few weeks after its launch, the network announced a direct-to-consumer platform that gives users the ability to purchase a monthly or annual subscription to watch live game broadcasts and other programming. Pay TV subscribers receive the same benefits as annual subscribers, actualized by signing in with their credentials on the platform.
“We’ve ushered in a new era of sports broadcasting excellence with Monumental Sports Network, where we proudly welcome our new partner, Robinhood, across all platforms,” Friday Abernethy, general manager of Monumental Sports Network, said in a statement. “Together, we will amplify the spirit of the game across every screen to create an unforgettable experience for our fans.”
