Monumental Sports & Entertainment Taps D.C.'s Own Vanda Pharmaceuticals as Founding Partner to Help Drive the Creation of Brand-New Downtown Arena

Rhea-AI Summary

Vanda Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VNDA) signed a multi-year Founding Partner agreement with Monumental Sports & Entertainment on Oct 8, 2025 to become a marquee sponsor of the next-generation downtown arena and receive exclusive entitlement of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio on Monumental Sports Network (MNMT).

The deal includes branding across the Washington Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics, integrated in-game and digital activations, visibility across the Capital One Arena transformation, and community programming. The studio opened in March 2024 and features 24 cameras and 1,200 sq ft of 4K LED displays. The arena welcomes about 3 million guests annually.

Positive

• Exclusive entitlement of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio on MNMT
• Multi-year Founding Partner role for downtown Capital One Arena project
• Brand presence across Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics broadcasts
• Access to MNMT distribution via cable, streaming, and social platforms
• Visibility at a venue that hosts about 3 million guests annually
• Studio technology: 24 cameras and 1,200 sq ft of 4K LED displays

Negative

• None.

Insights

Corporate Partnerships Analyst

Strategic local partnership expands Vanda's brand reach via exclusive studio entitlement and arena integration.

The agreement gives Vanda Pharmaceuticals exclusive naming and deep media integration across Monumental Sports Network and live events for the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics, embedding the company into pre/post-game, digital, and on-site activations. The studio sits in a high-end SMPTE 2110 facility opened in March 2024, and the arena transformation draws roughly three million annual guests, offering recurring audience exposure.

Impact depends on execution and measurement: branding exposure is clear, but no financial terms or performance metrics were disclosed, so direct revenue or ROI effects remain unquantified. Risks include audience engagement not matching expectations and limited visibility for medical or regulated messaging in sports content.

Watch for concrete reach and engagement metrics, any disclosed commercial terms, and completion of Phase One of the arena project near Oct. 8, 2025; also monitor ongoing integration across MNMT and in-arena assets over the next 25 years as the partnership unfolds.

Multiyear agreement includes exclusive Monumental Sports Network studio entitlement, activations across Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics, and deep integration via community and media platforms

For photos of the new Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio and video announcing the partnership, please CLICK HERE.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) today announced Vanda Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VNDA), a leading global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Washington, D.C., as the organization's newest Founding Partner for its next-generation arena in downtown Washington. A centerpiece of the agreement is Vanda's exclusive entitlement of the best-in-class Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) studio – now officially named the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio – home to pre- and post-game coverage, original content, and dynamic storytelling spanning MSE's full sports portfolio and more.

After signing on as the "marquee" jersey patch partner for the WNBA's Washington Mystics earlier this year, Vanda becomes the second Founding Partner of Monumental's transformative Capital One Arena project, joining United Airlines in supporting this world-class sports and entertainment destination. The multi-year, integrated partnership with MSE includes brand alignment with the NBA's Washington Wizards, NHL's Washington Capitals, Mystics, and extensive reach across MNMT – the company's award-winning regional media platform, setting new standards for local sports coverage.

"This is a bold, future-facing partnership that reflects the shared ambition of Monumental and Vanda to tell bigger stories, reach wider audiences, and uplift the D.C. community," said Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner, and CEO at MSE. "Vanda Pharmaceuticals is a hometown success story with a global footprint. As a Founding Partner and the entitlement sponsor of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio, they will play a major role in shaping our media future, enhancing the fan experience, and powering this transformational development in downtown D.C."

As MSE continues to redefine the regional sports media experience, a cornerstone of this partnership is Vanda's exclusive entitlement of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio, the broadcast epicenter of MNMT. Opened in March 2024, the studio sits within MNMT's two-story, SMPTE 2110-certified facility, representing one of the most advanced regional media environments in the country. It features two fully equipped studios — with the ability to merge into a single national telecast-caliber set on non-conflict nights — powered by 24 cameras, 1,200 square feet of 4K LED displays, and cutting-edge robotics.

As the named studio partner, Vanda will be prominently embedded in every layer of content produced by MNMT, from pre- and post-game shows to digital and longform storytelling. Distributed via cable, streaming, and social platforms across the DMV and beyond, MSE's media platform has rapidly grown into one of the most influential and innovative regional sports networks in the country, connecting with millions of fans each season.

"As Vanda Pharmaceuticals is a Washington, D.C. headquartered company, we are honored to become an integral part of the 'Sports Capital' and help lead the exciting transformation of the sports and entertainment district in downtown Washington," said Mihael H. Polymeropoulos MD, CEO, President and Chairman of the Board of Vanda Pharmaceuticals. "This alliance with Monumental is a shared vision to promote growth and opportunity in the nation's capital, fostering innovation and community through sports, media, and shared experiences that bring people together."

In addition to its entitlement of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio, Vanda will be featured across multiple MSE platforms including:

• Branding on-site and in broadcast across Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics games
• Integrated in-game features and content on MNMT
• Visibility across the Capital One Arena transformation and future arena assets
• Ongoing support of local programming that reflects both Vanda and MSE's shared values around innovative community impact

Vanda will have a prominent presence in the newly transformed Capital One Arena — an iconic sports and entertainment destination in the heart of the nation's capital that welcomes three million guests each year. Today's announcement comes as Phase One of construction nears completion in the next-generation arena. MSE is taking a 360-degree approach to reimagining the fan experience, with a focus on cutting-edge technology, immersive design, and community impact — creating a high-tech, high-touch venue built to inspire millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years.

About Monumental Sports & Entertainment  

Monumental Sports & Entertainment is one of America's leading integrated sports and entertainment companies and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.  

About Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  

Vanda is a leading global biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative therapies to address high unmet medical needs to improve the lives of patients. For more on Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., please visit www.vandapharma.com and follow them on X @vandapharma. 

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SOURCE Monumental Sports & Entertainment

FAQ

What did Vanda Pharmaceuticals announce on Oct 8, 2025 regarding VNDA and Monumental Sports?

Vanda announced a multi-year Founding Partner agreement giving VNDA exclusive entitlement of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio on Monumental Sports Network.

How will the VNDA partnership be visible at Capital One Arena?

VNDA will have on-site and broadcast branding, in-game features, and visibility across the Capital One Arena transformation.

What teams are included in Vanda's Monumental Sports partnership for VNDA?

The partnership covers the Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and Washington Mystics.

What are the technical features of the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Studio mentioned in the announcement?

The studio, opened March 2024, is SMPTE 2110-certified and features 24 cameras and 1,200 sq ft of 4K LED displays.

Does the VNDA deal include media distribution and audience reach?

Yes. VNDA will be integrated across MNMT content distributed via cable, streaming, and social platforms reaching regional and broader audiences.

When did Monumental say the arena project is progressing and how many annual visitors are referenced?

Monumental said Phase One nears completion and referenced the arena welcoming about 3 million guests each year.