Washington Commanders sale: Everything to know about the approved deal
Jack Birle
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All NFL owners voted unanimously to approve a deal to sell the Washington Commanders to a group led by billionaire Josh Harris, paving the way for a new era for the Washington, D.C., area football team.
The deal, which is expected to close soon, passed one of the final hurdles in the process of selling the team, an undertaking that began in November 2022. Here is everything to know about the deal and the millions of dollars in fines facing the outgoing owner.
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What is the deal?
The $6.05 billion deal sells ownership of the Commanders from Dan Snyder to an ownership group led by Harris, who will serve as Commanders managing partner once the deal is finalized in the coming weeks. There is no timetable for when the deal will be finalized, but the Commanders said that “the deal is expected to close shortly.”
The price is the largest an NFL team has ever sold for — it beat the 2022 sale of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos sold for $4.65 billion in June 2022.
What are people saying?
Harris promised Commanders fans his “top priority” is to deliver fans in the Washington metropolitan area “a championship caliber team.”
“Today, my partners and I were entrusted by the NFL with the stewardship of a great franchise. As a lifelong Washington football fan who grew up in the DMV, I know that the Commanders are more than just a sports team. This is an institution, passed down from generation to generation,” Harris said in a statement.
“From day one, it is our top priority to deliver you a championship caliber team, and we will strive every day to ensure that we are a franchise you can be proud of. To Commanders fans everywhere, our promise is simple: we will do the work, create the culture and make the investment needed to deliver for this team and for Washington,” he continued.
NBA legend Magic Johnson, who will be part of the ownership group led by Harris, called the vote by NFL owners “an answered prayer.”
“God is so good…I still can’t believe it! I am currently living in an answered prayer. Since beginning my journey as an athlete and now businessman and team owner, it’s all been a dream that has come full circle. I grew up playing football as a kid, I’m a huge NFL fan, and I watch games every week. Now, I get to co-own a storied franchise, the Washington Commanders,” Johnson tweeted.
“I’m especially thankful to Josh Harris who allowed me to be one of his partners with the Commanders. He is an amazing man, great friend, incredible businessman, proven owner and winner with the Philadelphia 76ers. Josh and his team have been first class throughout this entire process. Our ownership team is committed to the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia community and fanbase to bring a winning team and best in class organization,” he added.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Harris will be “a great addition to the NFL” and remarked that he has a “commitment to winning on the field.”
“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners. Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties, and we welcome them to the NFL as well,” Goodell said.
“I met Josh several years ago, prior to his acquisition of an interest in the Steelers, and have been fortunate to get to know him better over the past few months. I know he has a commitment to winning on the field but also to running an organization that everyone will be proud of — and to making positive contributions in the community,” Goodell said.
What is the latest with the NFL’s investigation into current Commanders owner Dan Snyder?
Shortly after the league announced the approval of the sale of Commanders, the NFL also announced its findings in its investigation into alleged misconduct and financial improprieties by former employees of the Commanders organization.
The investigation, led by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, “sustained both Tiffani Johnston’s allegation of sexual harassment by Mr. Snyder and Jason Friedman’s allegation of deliberate underreporting of NFL revenues by the Club to avoid its VTS sharing obligations.”
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As punishment for the findings in the report, Snyder, the outgoing Commanders owner, was fined $60 million by the NFL.
“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL. We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful, and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values,” Goodell said.