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You can text the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and someone on his team will see it. He might even text back. 

Why it matters: Wizards rookie AJ Dybantsa has a rare opportunity to capitalize on a new level of fame.

He's exploring new ways to give fans the access they crave. 

Zoom out: Dybantsa may be an NBA rookie, but he's hardly new to building his brand.

In the name, image and likeness era, the 19-year-old has been flexing his marketing savvy for years. 

His YouTube channel publishes documentary-style vlogs from his workouts and travels. His LinkedIn posts read like diary entries. 

Last year at Brigham Young University, he added a more direct line to fans: texting.

State of play: Dybantsa has 1.2 million Instagram followers and more than 500,000 on TikTok. 

But Community, an SMS marketing platform, offers something social media doesn't: a way to reach fans without relying on an algorithm. 

It lets his team build a database of phone numbers and demographic information from fans who opt in.

How it works: I texted Dybantsa's number and immediately heard back. 

"What's up, it's AJ," the message began. "Make sure you click the link to add yourself to my Community so I can respond to you!"

Another message teased a Nike shoe giveaway and instructed me to save Dybantsa as a contact.

😭 Yes, but: I texted AJ's Community line a couple of times. He never responded. 

Axios' attempts to reach Dybantsa for comment weren't returned.

Matthew Perl, the head of sports, media and entertainment for Community, tells Axios that fan messages land in an inbox that Dybantsa and his team can monitor and respond to.

Dybantsa was particularly interested in hearing from teenage fans about what they wanted to see him post, Perl tells Axios. 

By the numbers: As of this summer, Dybantsa had more than 17,000 members in his channel, according to a case study from Community.

Nearly a third responded when he invited them to text Q&A, and more than 40% clicked links to giveaways. 

His hurricane relief campaign for Jamaica raised more than $30,000.

Between the lines: Michael Lewis, a professor at Emory who specializes in sports marketing, tells Axios that athletes increasingly need to "own your own brand" and "own your own media." 

Yes, but: The access only works if it tells a success story. 

🐐 Lewis points to Michael Jordan as the father of sports marketing. 

Jordan won on the court, "and then the marketing sort of followed that," Lewis said. "When we lead with the marketing, it leads to problems."

The bottom line: Dybantsa's marketing game is strong. Now he has to prove himself on the court.

AJ Dybantsa wants your phone number

SMS marketing is a growing platform for building and studying fan communities.

Dybantsa stares at the camera during a photo shoot. 

Dybantsa wants your data. Photo: Nolan Pascu/NBAE via Getty Images


You can text the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, and someone on his team will see it. He might even text back. Why it matters: Wizards rookie <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AJ Dybantsa" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/25/wizards-land-a-future-in-aj-dybantsa" data-vars-content-id="03a2efff-ec06-4f26-862e-8c448f037e3f" data-vars-headline="AJ Dybantsa wants your phone number" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/25/wizards-land-a-future-in-aj-dybantsa" target="_self">AJ Dybantsa</a> has a rare opportunity to capitalize on a new level of fame.<ul><li>He&#x27;s exploring new ways to give fans the access they crave. </li></ul>

Sports

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

Business

Crews are cutting down trees in East Potomac Park, putting park advocates on high alert over what comes next.

Why it matters: Golfers, bikers and birders are watching like hawks for signs the Trump administration will begin work on its planned overhaul of the municipal golf course on Sept. 1, as the president has said.

But with that start date days away, the public still hasn't seen a final plan or price tag.

Between the lines: Crowdsourced photos posted by grassroots group Save East Po and Beltway Golfer Magazine show freshly cut stumps around the course. 

The Washington Post counted more than 60 trees that appeared to have been removed. 

"I'm not a botanist, but it's pretty obvious that the trees they're cutting down are not sick or dying," Alex Rosen, who leads Save East Po, tells Axios. 

A post from Beltway Golfer shows a stump it says belonged to a healthy cherry tree near the 14th hole. 

The other side: The Interior Department tells Axios the tree work is "routine maintenance" targeting some "hazard trees, non-native invasive trees, and declining and dying trees."

The department would not say whether the work is related to the planned golf course overhaul nor confirm that a cherry tree was removed.

D.C.'s beloved cherry blossoms arrived in Washington as a gift from Japan in 1912. 

An article from the National Park Service says cherry trees are not considered invasive because they're ornamental and don't harm their surroundings.

Follow the money: The Interior Department awarded a $349,000 contract to Ross Tree Expert Company from Falls Church, Virginia, for tree and stump removal and pruning work at East Potomac Park, running from Aug. 19 to early October. 

Ross has been awarded more than $2 million in government contracts dating back to the George W. Bush administration, but this is the first that names East Potomac Park.

The latest: Save East Po and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association are hosting a demonstration Saturday at the park to call for accountability and transparency.

Catch up quick: Two golfers and the D.C. Preservation League sued the Interior Department in February to block the golf course overhaul.

The plaintiffs claim the Trump administration violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to prepare an environmental study or submit for public input. 

Federal judge Ana C. Reyes has stopped short of blocking the project. During a July hearing, Reyes told both sides to collaborate on a plan for the government to provide notice of any work on the course. 

Reyes said in a May hearing that she wanted the government to notify her before it removed more than 10 trees, The Post reports. 

It's unclear whether the court was notified before the tree work began. The Trump administration didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment, and the plaintiffs declined to comment on pending litigation.

Flashback: Last October, Trump stunned Washington with the swift demolition of the White House's East Wing, setting off a legal fight over the approval process for his D.C. construction projects.

Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms

The Interior Department says the tree work is "routine maintenance." But park advocates are on high alert.

A Democracy Forward billboard truck drives in front of golfers at East Potomac Golf Course. 

A lawsuit hasn't stopped the Interior Department from removing trees from East Potomac Park. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Democracy Forward

Crews are cutting down trees in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Potomac Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-east-potomac-golf-course" data-vars-content-id="379b72e0-7a77-4791-931a-4c0356a62032" data-vars-headline="Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/07/30/trump-east-potomac-golf-course" target="_self">East Potomac Park</a>, putting park advocates on high alert over what comes next.Why it matters: Golfers, bikers and birders are watching like hawks for signs the Trump administration will begin work on its planned overhaul of the municipal golf course on Sept. 1, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the president has said" data-vars-click-url="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829203090822692" data-vars-content-id="379b72e0-7a77-4791-931a-4c0356a62032" data-vars-headline="Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/116829203090822692" target="_blank">the president has said</a>.<ul><li>But with that start date days away, the public still hasn&#x27;t seen a final plan or price tag.</li></ul>

Politics

The college football hierarchy in the DMV has shifted to Charlottesville.

Virginia looks to build on a surprising 11-win season last year with a shiny new quarterback plucked from the SEC.

Why it matters: College football season kicks into high gear this weekend. 

State of play: Maryland and Virginia Tech are trying to crawl out of their respective basements in the Big Ten and ACC. 

Both open their seasons Saturday after winning fewer than five games last season.

They'll battle for DMV bragging rights in a Sept. 19 matchup in College Park. 

Zoom out: The sport has never been so volatile thanks to the freedom of movement — and millions of dollars — players enjoy in the NIL and transfer portal era. 

The latest zaniness? Some players who tried out for pro teams are trying to go back to college — and courts might just let them. 

Virginia has the weekend off after a "Week 0" win over N.C. State last Saturday.

Fifth-year quarterback Beau Pribula had a whirlwind recruitment with Virginia after playing at Penn State and Missouri.

He impressed in his Cavaliers debut, throwing for 155 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for another 110 yards.

🗓️ Mark the calendar: Virginia returns with a cupcake game against Norfolk State — and head coach Michael Vick — next week. 

Their toughest test comes Oct. 17 at No. 19 SMU. 

🦃 New head coach James Franklin is the story at Virginia Tech. 

The Hokies fired former coach Brent Pry after just three games in 2025.

Franklin was fired by Penn State midseason. Several players, coaches and recruits followed him to Blacksburg.

Considering the incoming talent, ESPN's Bill Connelly projects Virginia Tech to be better than Virginia. 

🗓️ Mark the calendar: In a 15-day span, the Hokies will travel to Cal (Oct. 10), host Georgia Tech for homecoming (Oct. 17) and visit Clemson (Oct. 24).

🐢 QB Malik Washington leads Maryland after starting all 12 games as a true freshman. 

New offensive coordinator Clint Trickett arrives from Jacksonville State, where his unit racked up more than 400 yards per game. 

Freshman edge rusher Zion Elee was ESPN's No. 2 recruit in the country.

🗓️ Mark the calendar: The Terps have back-to-back road games at Nebraska and Ohio State on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10.

Virginia is the college football team to watch in the DMV

Maryland and Virginia Tech hope to engineer big turnarounds.

Beau Pribula is on his third school. Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images


The college football hierarchy in the DMV has shifted to Charlottesville.<ul><li>Virginia looks to build on a surprising 11-win season last year with a shiny new quarterback plucked from the SEC.</li></ul>Why it matters: College football season kicks into high gear this weekend.

The Nationals are 62-72 and have a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, according to Baseball-Reference.com. Let's meet some good dogs. 

Why it matters: Pups in the Park is a happy day at the stadium no matter what the standings look like.

I went to Nationals Park on Tuesday to see how the promotion has grown.

State of play: Dog tickets cost owners $10, all of which goes to the Humane Rescue Alliance.

There are six Pups at the Park games this season, so fans get multiple chances to attend. 

💉 How it works: Dogs can enter (and get a spiffy bandana) once owners show their vaccination records.

The pups are seated on the lower level in front of the Right Field Plaza. 

⭐️ One star drew a line for photos: Natty, the official team dog, who was celebrating his 6-month birthday.

The Golden Retriever-and-Labrador mix even has his own sponsor, Eukanuba dog food, which set up giveaways and agility challenges.

The author crouches down to pose with Natty the team dog. 

🌳 The stadium crew brings in sod squares for "pet relief areas," plus water coolers and bowls.

One employee played doggie bouncer, stopping pups from entering the rest of the concourse. 

Black and tan puppy wearing an orange paw-print bandana sits at the front of a busy outdoor event, with people, tents, and pavement in the background.

Otis is 4 months old. Photo: Gabe Hiatt/Axios

👔 The best-dressed dog I spotted was Alfredo, a Spinone Italiano with wiry white hair, in a Nationals print Hawaiian shirt and a blue-and-white ball cap. 

"A neighbor got him the hat," his owner said. "We didn't have time to put a curly W on it, but it works."

The stadium played "Who Let the Dogs Out," because of course they did. 

Valerie Krebs, the team's vice president of communications, brought her two rescue dogs, Jack and Teddy. 

The game falling on a $5 Tuesday was not lost on Krebs — a lot of dogs enjoyed cheap hot dogs. 

There's no doggie beer available — yet — Krebs tells Axios.

🏟️ The Nats are 1-4 in Pups at the Park games this season, including a 3-1 loss to Colorado last night. 

Krebs didn't know if the theme night had a meaningful effect on attendance. 

Only 13,876 fans showed up yesterday, about a third of capacity. 

🧠 It's all about creating an experience fans will remember fondly — regardless of the final score.

"Baseball is fun. Dogs are fun. For someone like me, this is like a perfect night," Krebs said.

What's next: Dogs are invited back for the season finale against the Mets on Sunday, Sept. 27.

What Nationals games are like for a dog

There are doggie photo booths, bandanas and fresh sod for, um, relief.

A brown and white dog wearing a red patterned bandana sits in front of a large blue inflatable backdrop at an outdoor event, with a tall pink banner to the left.

Alfredo the Spinone Italiano. Photo: Gabe Hiatt/Axios

The Nationals are 62-72 and have a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baseball-Reference.com" data-vars-click-url="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2026.shtml" data-vars-content-id="9ce47d41-00cb-40c2-b40a-0c53ba48d550" data-vars-headline="What Nationals games are like for a dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/2026.shtml" target="_blank">Baseball-Reference.com</a>. Let&#x27;s meet some good dogs. Why it matters: Pups in the Park is a happy day at the stadium no matter what the standings look like.<ul><li>I went to Nationals Park on Tuesday to see how the promotion has grown.</li></ul>

Roster-watchers are scratching their heads over the Commanders' plans at center and cornerback. 

Why it matters: Without more wheeling and dealing from general manager Adam Peters, Washington could struggle to protect the quarterback and defend the pass this season.

State of play: The league deadline to trim teams to 53 players was Sunday night, and teams had until 1pm Monday to claim players cut by other teams.

The Commanders did not claim any players off waivers today, according to the list of league transactions shared by NFL reporters.

Washington's first game is 13 days away, at Philadelphia. 

🩼 Starting cornerback Trey Amos was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle sprain. He has to sit out the first four games. 

As of Monday afternoon, the Commanders had only three corners on the active roster. 

Two are new to the team: Rasul Douglas, a 31-year-old who started 13 games for Miami last season, and Amik Robertson, who played in all 17 games last year for Detroit. 

Mike Sainristil is in his third year with Washington.

✏️ Washington waived cornerback Fabian Moreau on Sunday but could bring him back if he doesn't sign somewhere else. 

Between the lines: Vulnerabilities against the pass could be exposed right away. 

The Commanders face some scary receivers in the first three weeks: CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens (Week 2 at Dallas), and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Week 3 vs. Seattle). 

💪 Yes, but: New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones could offset any weak spots by consistently generating pressure. 

The team signed free agent edge rusher Odafe Oweh to a four-year, $100 million contract.

📈 On offense, Washington is banking on QB Jayden Daniels returning to form after injuries marred his second pro season. 

Who will be snapping the ball to him, though? 

Nick Allegretti moved to center from guard, where he started four games for the Commanders last year. 

He's been sidelined after a calf injury early in training camp.

The only other center on the roster is Matt Gulbin, a rookie from Michigan State. 

The bottom line: Peters is gambling that he has enough at center and cornerback. 

He'll be labeled a genius — or a doofus — depending on how it plays out. 

Two positions could haunt the Commanders all year

Center and cornerback are looking very thin in the first version of the 53-man roster.

A Washington cornerback bats away a pass in front of a Green Bay receiver.

Trey Amos will start the season on injured reserve. Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images


Roster-watchers are scratching their heads over the Commanders&#x27; plans at center and cornerback. Why it matters: Without more wheeling and dealing from general manager Adam Peters, Washington could struggle to protect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the quarterback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/17/commanders-quarterbacks-mariota-hartman-kaliakmanis" data-vars-content-id="ec959207-bb6b-44b5-a5b3-9ccd5c45db1e" data-vars-headline="Two positions could haunt the Commanders all year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/08/17/commanders-quarterbacks-mariota-hartman-kaliakmanis" target="_self">the quarterback</a> and defend the pass this season.

Gabe Hiatt

Featured stories

Virginia is the college football team to watch in the DMV

Two positions could haunt the Commanders all year

Tree removals at East Potomac golf course raise alarms

What Nationals games are like for a dog

AJ Dybantsa wants your phone number