Probably the least popular owner in Washington DC sports history is no longer in charge of the Washington Commanders. Dan Snyder is out and Josh Harris is in.
Josh Harris and his ownership group was approved unanimously by owners at the league meetings in Bloomington, Mn on Thursday. Harris bought the team for $6.05 billion, an all-time record for a sports franchise.
A monumental Washington day: NFL owners now have unanimously approved the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris, per league source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 20, 2023
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 20, 2023
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell commented on the big news:
From the league… pic.twitter.com/ecEOOKle5w
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) July 20, 2023
Harris, who grew up in Chevy Chase, also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.
There are 20 limited partners in the Harris ownership group led by Walt Whitman High School alum and founder of Glenstone Museum Mitchell Rales, and basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
Snyder, a Montgomery County native, bought the Commanders in 1999 for $800 million. In his 24 years as owner, the team has had only six winning seasons and won only two playoff games never advancing beyond the divisional playoff round. Over that span, there have been 10 head coaches and 27 starting quarterbacks. The team famously used to sell out games on a regular basis but attendance eroded during Snyder’s tenure. The team finished last (out of 32 teams) in NFL attendance in 2022.
Beyond the team’s lack of success on the field, there were many controversies and scandals off the field including several governmental investigations into the organization’s alleged rampant harassment and toxic workplace culture. The team’s longtime nickname, the Redskins, (and accompanying mascot), became controversial and was changed in 2019 to the Washington Football Team (and subsequently Commanders) due to pressure from sponsors including FedEx.
As part of Thursday’s announcement, the NFL released the findings of investigator Mary Jo White. and Snyder will pay $60 million to the NFL “in resolution of Ms. White’s findings and. all outstanding matters.”
With Dan Snyder officially out, the NFL has released the findings by investigator Mary Jo White — fining Snyder $60M. pic.twitter.com/sDIMq06LSy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 20, 2023
