Washington Commanders proprietor Dan Snyder has agreed to a sale to a bunch led by Philadelphia 76ers proprietor Josh Harris.
Snyder, launched a joint assertion along with his spouse, Tanya, Friday afternoon revealing an accord had been struck.
Despite coming to phrases, the sale will want to be finalized by the league. The NFL’s monetary committee can have to give a inexperienced gentle earlier than the league’s 31 different homeowners, three fourths of whom would want to give their approval.
‘We are more than happy to have reached an settlement for the sale of the Commanders franchise with Josh Harris, an space native, and his spectacular group of companions.
‘We look ahead to the immediate completion of this transaction and to rooting for Josh and the crew in the coming years.’
Washington Commanders proprietor Dan Snyder has agreed to a sale to a bunch led by Josh Harris
Josh Harris (left) presently owns the 76ers, whereas Magic Johnson (proper) is a Dodgers co-owner
Harris will likely be a part of an possession group together with Lakers and NBA legend Magic Johnson, Mitch Rales and David Blitzer.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting approval from the league and its proprietor may happen ‘in May or in the ensuing months.’ A brand new stadium is one in every of Harris’ biggest priorities, in accordance to the NFL insider.
‘On behalf of our whole possession group… I would like to specific how excited we’re to be thought of by the NFL to be the subsequent homeowners of the Washington Commanders and the way dedicated we’re to delivering a championship-caliber franchise for this metropolis and its fanbase,’ Harris stated.
‘Growing up in Chevy Chase, I skilled first-hand the pleasure round the crew, together with its three Super Bowl victories and long-term profitable tradition.
‘We look ahead to the formal approval of our possession by the NFL in the months forward and to having the honor to function accountable and accountable stewards of the Commanders franchise shifting ahead.’
The Snyders have agreed to lastly sell the NFC East crew, a transfer positive to please its fanbase
Commanders coach Ron Rivera can have a brand new boss presuming the agreed sale is ratified
Last month, Sportico reported a $6billion deal had been agreed upon. If these figures are in reality appropriate, it might change into the costliest buy for a sports activities franchise.
A $4.65 billion buy of the Denver Broncos was made by the Walton-Penner household, the heirs to the Walmart fortune, final yr.
If Harris is authorised as proprietor, he would personal stakes in three professional groups, together with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. He presently has a stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he will want to sell earlier than his buy of the Commanders will be finalized.
Johnson, in the meantime, has stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and the WNBA’s Sparks.
‘I couldn’t be extra excited to be a companion in the proposed new possession group for the Washington Commanders,’ Johnson wrote on Twitter following the announcement.
‘Josh Harris has assembled a tremendous group who share a dedication to not solely doing nice issues on the subject however to making an actual impression in the DMV neighborhood. I’m so excited to get to work on executing our imaginative and prescient for the Commanders and our loyal fanbase!’
Snyder purchased the NFC East franchise for $800 million in 1999. The NFL franchise is now price an estimated $5.6 billion, in accordance to Forbes, regardless of ongoing authorized considerations and Snyder’s struggles to safe land for a brand new stadium.
The 58-year-old Snyder has confronted followers’ calls to sell the struggling crew for years, however strain has been mounting since 2020 following accusations of sexual harassment, monetary impropriety, and obstruction towards the crew and Snyder himself.
Sexual harassment allegations towards crew staff ranged from inappropriate feedback to the creation of a lewd behind-the-scenes video from a cheerleader calendar shoot in 2008, in accordance to the 2020 Washington Post report that first uncovered the claims.
A former cheerleader additionally alleged that Snyder steered that she be part of his ‘shut buddy’ in a lodge room in 2004 in order that they ‘may get to know one another.’
Dan Snyder, pictured with spouse Tanya, has owned WAS since his $800m buy in 1999
A fan at Cowboys vs. Commanders on January 8, 2023 with one thing of a prophetic signal
Snyder denied this declare in a 2020 assertion: ‘I would like to unequivocally state that this by no means occurred.’
While the Commanders have fired a lot of the people accused of sexual harassment and paid a $10 million advantageous to the NFL, Snyder has defiantly denied accusations towards him in the face of subsequent investigations.
The Democrat-led House Oversight committee launched an investigation into the Commanders and the league probe after the NFL determined towards compiling its findings in a proper written report, citing confidentiality considerations.
The Committee investigation uncovered beforehand unknown allegations towards the crew and Snyder earlier than the probe was minimize brief when Republicans took management of Congress in 2022.
Specifically, former crew worker Tiffani Johnston claimed to the Oversight Committee that Snyder grabbed her thigh at a crew dinner and pressured her to get right into a limousine. Snyder has additionally denied this declare.
Another girl, Melanie Coburn, stated she was at Snyder’s residence in Aspen when he hosted a celebration with prostitutes for male staff.
Redskins cheerleaders seen dancing as a part of a 2004 occasion, the place allegations later surfaced
The Commanders, previously often called the Washington Redskins, have made the playoffs six instances since Snyder purchased the crew in 1999. There have been 10 head coaches on this time
Indianapolis Colts proprietor Jim Irsay has been a vocal critic and beforehand urged the NFL to take away Snyder as Commanders proprietor. Speaking at league conferences late final yr, Irsay stated ‘there’s benefit’ to booting Snyder, who ranks as one in every of the least common homeowners in skilled sports activities.
The Commanders have largely struggled since Snyder purchased the membership in 1999. Washington, a three-time Super Bowl winner and five-time NFC champion, has reached the postseason solely six instances over Snyder’s tenure. The present head coach, Ron Rivera, is Snyder’s 10th since taking management of the crew.
Throughout Snyder’s tenure, the crew has been criticized for its now-former nickname, the Redskins, which is taken into account offensive to Native Americans.
Snyder fought the change for years, however Washington lastly dropped the ‘Redskins’ identify in 2020 below a wave scrutiny amid the George Floyd protests.