In a unanimous decision, NFL team owners have approved the purchase of the Washington Commanders by billionaire Josh Harris. This marks the end of Dan Snyder's controversial ownership of the team, which has been plagued by scandals and a winless streak. The Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Redskins and briefly as the Washington Football Team, announced in May that a group of investors led by Harris would be acquiring the team. The deal is expected to be finalized as early as Friday.
Harris' investment group, Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, has agreed to pay a staggering $6.05 billion for the team, making it the most expensive acquisition in NFL history. This surpasses the $4.6 billion purchase of the Denver Broncos by Walmart heir Rob Walton last year. Alongside Harris, NBA Hall-of-Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson and investor David Blitzer have also become owners of the Commanders.
Harris, with a net worth estimated at $6.6 billion, is ranked as the 402nd richest person in the world according to Forbes. Apart from his new ownership of the Commanders, Harris also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.
Dan Snyder's ownership of the team began in 1999 when he purchased it for $800 million. However, his tenure has been marked by poor performance on the field and numerous scandals off the field. Over the course of his 24 years as owner, the Commanders failed to reach the NFC championship game. Additionally, Snyder faced allegations of silencing female team employees who accused him and other executives of sexual misconduct. The House Committee on Oversight and Reform reported these allegations. In 2021, the NFL fined the team $10 million after an internal investigation led by independent counsel Beth Wilkinson found evidence of workplace culture misconduct and a general lack of respect.
For further information, Forbes has published an article detailing the acquisition of the Washington Commanders by Josh Harris, effectively ending Dan Snyder's controversial ownership.