Capitals' Ted Leonsis to be NHL board of governors chair

NEW YORK -- Ted Leonsis, chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment and longtime Washington Capitals owner, has been named the next chairperson of the NHL board of governors.

Leonsis, 69, was unanimously approved by the board at their meeting in New York on Tuesday. He succeeds Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, who served in that role for the past 19 years.

"Long before I became an owner, I was a fan of this game and of the Washington Capitals. I love hockey and have a profound belief in its potential. We have proven in Washington how investing in a team, its fans and in a community can create a true hockey city," said Leonsis in a statement.

Leonsis has owned the Capitals since 1999. Monumental Sports also owns the NBA's Washington Wizards and the WNBA's Washington Mystics.

"Ted Leonsis' entrepreneurial instincts and forward-thinking approach have helped shape the direction of our League for more than two decades. Since joining the Board of Governors, Ted has been an invaluable leader and a thoughtful voice in our boardroom, bringing to our discussions the same innovative spirit he has poured into Monumental Sports & Entertainment," said NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

Jacobs, 86, is retiring as NHL board chair. He succeeded Flames owner Harley Hotchkiss in 2007, as the league was rebounding from the cancellation of the 2004-05 season due to a lockout and working under a newly established salary cap.

"In the subsequent years, and because of that shared difficult experience, owners and players found common ground and forged a great partnership. Together, we have achieved a level of competitive balance and stability that will help the league grow and prosper for generations to come," said Jacobs. "Looking forward, I can't think of a better successor than Ted Leonsis, a highly regarded and accomplished owner on the forefront of innovation. Ted is the right person to help chart a course for the future of hockey."

The vote on Leonsis was one of several items on the docket at Tuesday's NHL board meeting, including a discussion about whether to add expansion franchises in either Houston or Austin, Texas, and Atlanta.