Schooling in the Ownership Society: Wizzards owner Leonsis underwrites D.C. charters. Then gets a new practice arena from taxpayers.

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Wizzards owner Leonsis underwrites D.C. charters. Then gets a new practice arena from taxpayers.:

Wizzards owner Leonsis underwrites D.C. charters. Then gets a new practice arena from taxpayers.

"...we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen, we're talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice." -- Alan Iverson

D.C. billionaire venture capitalist/philanthropist Ted Leonsis helps bankroll all of the district's privately-run charter schools through his Venture Philanthropy Partners. That includes more than $5.5 million to KIPP DC. But there's a catch to his generosity. 


You see, Leonsis has an interesting philosophy. He believes that instead of paying taxes on his investment profits, taxpayers ought to pay him. This year the payment comes in the form of a new $55 million basketball practice arena for his Washington Schooling in the Ownership Society: Wizzards owner Leonsis underwrites D.C. charters. Then gets a new practice arena from taxpayers.: