NFL
By: Drew Willingham
NFL owners around the league attended a meeting today to unanimously vote for approval on the sale of the Washington Commanders. Marking an end to the tumultuous reign of ownership by Dan Snyder and the franchise can officially begin a new era.
The historic meeting took place in Minneapolis today with much speculation that this outcome would take place. Only Seventy-Five Percent — 24 of the league’s 32 owners — approval was needed to finalize the pending deal between Dan Snyder, his family, and a group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris. NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is also among those involved in the incoming ownership group. The unanimous votes for approval were one last call to action for Dan Snyder and a sign that the league fully supports Josh Harris alongside his new ownership colleagues.
The deal is for a North American professional sports record $6.05 billion, surpassing the $4.55 billion that Walmart heir Robert Walton shelled out for the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Snyder and Harris’ group had a deal in place for a sale back in April, followed by a firm agreement in May. Today’s meeting officially sets the trajectory for new ownership to take over just as we begin the start of the 2023 regular season.
Snyder had owned this franchise since 1999, when he bought it for $750 million, and regardless of the ongoing criticism repeatedly stated that he’d never sell his childhood’s favorite team. However, after multiple investigations by the NFL and Congress into the status of Washington’s workplace misconduct and potential financial discrepancies. The investigations concluded that Snyder played a role within a toxic culture.
“Josh Harris has assembled an amazing group who share a commitment to not only doing great things on the field but to making a real impact in the (Washington-area) community,” Johnson tweeted in May. “I’m so excited to get to work on executing our vision for the Commanders and our loyal fanbase.”
Harris was raised in the Washington suburb of Chevy Chase, Maryland. He has stated that he got to experience the euphoria of the Washington team winning three Super Bowls and building a long-term standard of success.
One of the new owners’ first major tasks for a long-term future for the franchise is a new home to replace FedEx Field, the hogwash-modular-built home for the team since 1997 in Landover, Maryland, that has deteriorated rapidly over recent years. Virginia abandoned a stadium bill in 2022 as a result of a number of off-field controversies surrounding the team, despite that relocation is still a possibility, as well as Maryland or even in DC at the site of the team’s former home, RFK Stadium.
Harris released a statement shortly after the news broke on the results of todays meeting. “Today, my partners and I were entrusted by the NFL and the stewardship of a great franchise. As a lifelong Washington football fan who grew up here, I know that the Commanders are more than just a sports team. This is an institution, passed down from generation to generation. From day one, it is our top priority to deliver to you a championship caliber team, and we will strive everyday 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.”
It appears that the clouds looming over this franchise are finally opening up and a bright future is ahead for all involved. The atmosphere at Commanders training camp should be much more positive than the energy felt within from the past.
