RealGM Basketball Wiretap

20 December 2025

• QIA, Arctos Partners Buying Stake In Wizards' Parent Company At $7.2 Billion Valuation

  Qatar's sovereign wealth fund QIA and Arctos Partners are purchasing passive minority stakes in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Washington Wizards and Capitals. The deals value Monumental at $7.2 billion, according to multiple people familiar with the transaction.

  QIA and Arctos are acquiring shares from Laurene Powell Jobs, who bought approximately 20 percent of Monumental in 2017. Powell Jobs was previously the largest shareholder outside of majority owner Ted Leonsis.

  The exact equity percentages and payment distribution remain unclear. Neither QIA nor Arctos will receive board seats or governance rights as part of the deals, according to people granted anonymity because the details are private.

  QIA previously purchased a 5 percent passive minority stake in Monumental in June 2023 at a $4.05 billion valuation. That deal marked the first time a sovereign wealth fund invested directly into a major U.S. sports team.

  The new $7.2 billion valuation represents a 78 percent increase over the 2023 deal. Sportico values the Wizards and Mystics at a combined $4.78 billion, while the Capitals are worth $2.3 billion.

  Both the NBA and NHL restrict institutional fund investment to a maximum of 30 percent per team. Individual funds can own up to 20 percent of a single franchise under league rules.

  QIA manages $557 billion in assets, making it the ninth-largest sovereign fund globally. The fund is separate from Qatar Sports Investments, which owns Paris Saint-Germain.

  Arctos Partners has completed approximately two dozen franchise deals across all five major U.S. sports leagues. The firm's portfolio includes stakes in the Golden State Warriors, Liverpool, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

  The deals have been presented to NHL and NBA owners, according to sources. Representatives for Monumental, Arctos, and Emerson Collective declined to comment.

• Domantas Sabonis Remains Patient With Kings Amid Potential Interest From Wizards, Suns, Bulls

  The Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls have shown significant interest in acquiring Domantas Sabonis from the Sacramento Kings in the past and remain on his short list of possible suitors, according to league sources.

  However, Sabonis is prepared to remain in Sacramento for the foreseeable future. The 29-year-old center has heeded general manager Scott Perry's call for patience amid the Kings' rebuilding efforts.

  Sabonis' contract runs through the 2027-28 season with $94 million owed over the next two seasons. The magnitude of the financial commitment inevitably limits his trade market.

  League sources say Sabonis has accepted Sacramento's current direction. The center understands the franchise's long-term approach under first-year general manager Perry.

  Sabonis has been sidelined since November 19 with a partial tear of his left meniscus. He was scheduled to be re-evaluated within the next week.

  The injury adds another layer of complexity to any potential trade discussions. Teams interested in acquiring Sabonis must account for his health status and rehabilitation timeline.

  Sacramento has opened its roster for business amid a disappointing 6-19 start. The Kings sit last in the Western Conference and face questions about their veteran core.

  Perry has signaled commitment to retaining draft picks for the rebuild. That stance could keep veterans like Sabonis, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk in Sacramento past the February 5 trade deadline. DeRozan is signed through 2026-27, while Monk has a player option ahead of 2027-28. Sabonis is signed through 2028.

  The general manager made a plea for organizational patience regarding his long-term vision. Perry hopes retained draft assets will play a pivotal role in building a sustainable winner. The Kings have only moved up in the lotteryfour times with the most recent being in 2022 when they selected Keegan Murray at No. 2.

• Bilal Coulibaly To Miss Multiple Weeks With Oblique Strain

  Bilal Coulibaly will miss multiple weeks after suffering a right oblique strain during Tuesday night's loss by the Washington Wizards to the Philadelphia 76ers. The third-year player, who typically guards opponents' best scorers, sustained the injury early in the third quarter and played through discomfort before exiting with 3:44 remaining in the period.

  Coulibaly has already missed eight of Washington's 20 games this season. He underwent surgery in mid-September for a torn ligament in his right thumb suffered while playing for France in EuroBasket. The 21-year-old did not make his season debut until October 30.

  Coulibaly also missed four games in early November due to a left calf contusion from being kicked. His absence has contributed to Washington's defensive struggles, as the Wizards rank 30th in the NBA in points allowed per possession.

  The team is managing several other injuries to wing players. Rookie Tre Johnson has a strained left hip flexor. Corey Kispert is sidelined with a fracture in the tip of his right thumb. Starting center Alex Sarr is set to miss his third consecutive game Thursday with a right adductor strain.

  Wizards officials declined to provide a specific timeline for Coulibaly's return. The injury occurred on the opening possession of the third quarter against Philadelphia. Washington trailed 87-67 when Coulibaly checked out.

  Coulibaly is averaging 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 27.2 minutes per game this season. His defensive effort against Giannis Antetokounmpo on Monday helped Washington upset the Milwaukee Bucks 129-126.

  Justin Champagnie, Cam Whitmore and rookie Will Riley are expected to receive additional playing time during Coulibaly's absence. The Wizards will need increased contributions from these players to compensate for the loss of their top perimeter defender.

• Wizards Hire Former ESPN Executive Editor Cristina Daglas

  The Washington Wizards have hired Cristina Daglas as head of research and identity. Daglas was previously executive editor of ESPN.

  The position will be similar to the one held by former Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins with the Los Angeles Clippers, which he has had since 2018.

  Michael Winger, who now runs with the Wizards, was also involved in the hiring of Jenkins.

  "Monumental Basketball is a growing and innovative organization, committed to optimizing player performance and enhancing our fans' connectivity to and joy from the teams," Winger said in a statement. "Understanding and communicating our basketball identity is an important endeavor to drive that performance, connectivity, and joy. Cristina's role is to lead the group responsible for capturing our story, enhancing our organizational appeal, and sharing our identity with everyone interested. Her background in journalism and supervising some of the most important sports stories of the last decade make her uniquely qualified for this role."

  Daglas exited ESPN earlier this year after she was placed on administrative leave when multiple employees filed HR complaints, which were never disclosed publicly.

• Wizards Exercising 26-27 Rookie Scale Options For Six Players

  The Washington Wizards are picking up the 2026-27 rookie scale team options for a group of six players. The Wizards are picking up the options for Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, AJ Johnson, Alex Sarr and Cam Whitmore.

  These are the fourth-year options for Coulibaly and Whitmore. Carrington, George, Johnson and Sarr are having their third-year options exercised.

  This group of six, along with 2025 first-round picks Tre Johnson and Will Riley, form Washington's young core. The Wizards drafted Carrington, Coulibaly, George and Sarr. They acquired Johnson at least year's trade deadline and traded for Whitmore this past offseason.

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