Inova Health System and Washington Mystics Announce Marquee Partnership

April 7, 2011 - The Washington Mystics of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) announced today that the team has entered into a marquee partnership with Inova Health System. As part of the partnership, Mystics players will wear Inova Hospital System's name and logo on the front of their home and away jerseys, shooting shirts and community apparel during the upcoming 2011 WNBA season. Mystics players Alana Beard and Crystal Langhorne unveiled the new uniforms in the club's new color scheme of red, navy, silver and white during a press event at Inova's Loudoun hospital on Thursday. The partnership will tip off on April 29 at the anti-obesity summit held at the Mason Inn Conference Center and Hotel at George Mason University. Monumental Sports & Entertainment Vice Chairman and Mystics President and Managing Partner Sheila Johnson will deliver the keynote speech at the event, reinforcing a call to eliminate childhood obesity.

"Working together as professional caregivers and professional athletes, we know there is nothing more important than the health of our community," commented Mark Stauder, president and COO of Inova Health System. "Inova's teaming up with the Washington Mystics is a natural outgrowth of shared commitments to preventative care, chronic disease management and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Together, we will make better use of our resources to transform our community's health, empowering individuals through excellence in patient care, education and research."

The partnership with the Mystics offers Inova Health System creative exposure to fans at games and through media coverage and television broadcasts. It also includes Inova Health System's designation as the presenting partner of the Washington Mystics and Wizards Youth Basketball Camps. As such, Inova Health System will receive co-branding on signage pertaining to camps and clinics, in-arena recognition at all Mystics and Wizards home games, and presence in marketing and social media platforms.

"The shared vision of both Inova and the Mystics is key to this partnership as both organizations are focused on improving the communities in which we work, live and play," said Mystics Chief Operating Officer Greg Bibb. "We look forward to wearing the Inova name on our uniform with great pride while we work together with their outstanding personnel to create a platform focused on childhood obesity, women's health issues and preventative health. Not only is the Inova partnership the largest in terms of scope and commitment in the history of the Mystics, it is also one of the most important in terms of the opportunity it creates for us to make positive change throughout the greater Washington, D.C., region."

Both Inova Health System and the Washington Mystics are dedicated to positively impacting the community and will center their partnership on that commitment. Both organizations will work together to design a program that will help improve the overall health of the community by promoting various initiatives and awareness programs. In addition, Inova will serve as the title sponsor of the team's third annual School Day Game on May 26. The preseason contest against the Chicago Sky will allow students from the Washington metropolitan area to enjoy a basketball game presented in conjunction with a variety of educational components, including color workbooks, learning-based activities and exhibits. The School Day Game will also mark the first time that Mystics fans will have a chance to see the team's new uniforms in action.

The Washington Mystics will tip off their 14th season on Saturday, June 4, on the road against the Connecticut Sun at 7:00 p.m. Washington's home opener at Verizon Center is Saturday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. against the Chicago Sky. Individual tickets for the Mystics season will go on sale on April 11.

About Inova Health System
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova's mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.