The Washington Wizards will wear GEICO’s logo on their jerseys effective immediately, following a trend in the NBA of allowing sponsors to buy space on players’ uniforms.
The NBA allowed “jersey patch sponsors” for the first time last season. The practice is common in European soccer and MLS has done it for years, too.
GEICO is headquartered in the Washington suburb of Chevy Chase, Maryland.
“When we set out to find a partner to share one of the most visible, most prominent partnership opportunities in sports, we knew we wanted a company that shared our commitment to community,” Monumental Sports and Entertainment owner Ted Leonsis said in a statement. “GEICO has been a pillar of the Washington, D.C. community for decades, and they are one of the most influential advertisers in sports. That they have chosen to put their logo on their hometown teams is a great reminder of the power of basketball in Washington, D.C.”
GEICO will also have a patch on the Washington Mystics’ and Capital City Go-Go’s uniforms. The company and Monumental had already been corporate partners for more than 25 years.
The Wizards will debut the patch Friday night when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8 p.m. in a game being broadcast on ESPN.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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