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Craig Hoffman, a familiar voice on Washington sports radio for nearly a decade, is leaving The Team 980 to take on a front-office role with Monumental Basketball, the organization that oversees the NBA’s Washington Wizards and WNBA’s Washington Mystics.
Hoffman has been named Senior Director of Basketball Identity & Integration, a role that will have him working directly with team ownership, including Ted and Zachary Leonsis, to shape the culture and brand identity of both franchises. The announcement came last week, with Hoffman describing the move as “bittersweet” after 15 years in radio and media.
“Radio has been my home since I was a freshman in college, and for the last decade that home has been at Audacy,” Hoffman wrote on LinkedIn. “I’m incredibly grateful for the colleagues, listeners, and mentors who made this journey so rewarding — you’ve challenged me, supported me, and helped me grow in ways I never imagined when I first picked up a microphone.”
Hoffman returned to WTEM in June 2022 to host the afternoon drive show from 4 to 7 p.m., after previously working at the station during its Red Zebra Broadcasting era in 2015-16. His Washington career also included six years at sister station 106.7 The Fan, covering the Washington Commanders as a beat reporter, pre- and post-game host, and evening/weekend talent.
He began in Lawrence, Kansas, at KLWN before moving to ESPN-owned KESN in Dallas.
In his new position, Hoffman will collaborate with Monumental Basketball leadership on fan engagement, brand strategy, and the long-term vision for both the Wizards and Mystics. He noted that WTEM’s partnership with Monumental ensures that he maintains a connection to the station and the local sports media scene.
“To Monumental Basketball — and specifically Ted Leonsis and Zachary Leonsis — thank you for trusting me with this opportunity,” Hoffman wrote. “I can’t wait to do my part in helping shape the future of these teams and contribute to the incredible culture already being built.”
With Hoffman stepping away, WTEM is expected to adjust its afternoon lineup in the coming weeks, marking a significant shift for a station that has long been a cornerstone of Washington sports talk.
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