The Commanders are finally changing ownership. At this point, it’s a matter of when.
Per Sportico, Dan Snyder has agreed to sell the franchise for $6 billion to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Josh Harris, and including NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport said a deal hasn’t been submitted and approved, but that “it is getting closer.”
In 2020, Harris and business partner David Blitzer acquired a $140M stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he will need to sell as part of the transaction to buy the Commanders.
He’s also the owner of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. Johnson has ownership stakes in MLB’s LA Dodgers, Los Angeles F.C. of the MLS and the WNBA’s LA Sparks.
The sale can’t come a moment too soon with Snyder in a class with Donald Sterling, Jerry Richardson and Robert Sarver (to name a few) as one of the worst owners in professional sports history. He’s been the subject of multiple
investigations
and lawsuits, faced allegations of fraud
and sexual harassment, and was fined $10M as he’s overseen the downfall of a once-proud franchise.
Harris was part of a group that purchased the Sixers in 2011, coincidentally from Ed Snider. Two years into his run as owner, the organization underwent “The Process,” where the organization was shameless in fielding horrible teams, a move which in hindsight worked pretty well.
Four dreadful seasons from 2013-14 through 2016-17 led to six consecutive playoff appearances and four 50-win seasons, including a 54-28 record this season, the best under Harris’ ownership.
Washington is projected to be the worst team in football in 2023 per Mike Clay’s recently released projections for the season and a similar teardown could be in order in DC.
We all know the franchise needs a fresh start.
