At long last, the Washington Commanders have been sold. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Commanders were officially sold on Friday to Josh Harris, ending Dan Snyder’s controversial run as owner.
“Washington Commanders and a partnership led by Josh Harris have entered into a purchase and sale agreement; it was jointly announced today,” Schefter tweeted.
Washington Commanders and a partnership led by Josh Harris have entered into a purchase and sale agreement, it was jointly announced today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2023
The big move ends a lackluster run for Dan Snyder as the team’s owner. He took over the team in 1999 and led them down a massive downward spiral as one of the most pitiful franchises in North American sports.
But all things have an end, and we have reached that conclusion for Snyder and the Commanders. He and his wife, Tanya, issued a statement via Schefter.
“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement for the sale of the Commanders franchise with Josh Harris, an area native, and his impressive group of partners,” they said. “We look forward to the prompt completion of this transaction and to rooting for Josh and the team in the coming years.”
Statement from Commanders Co-Owners Tanya and Dan Snyder: “We are very pleased to have reached an agreement for the sale of the Commanders franchise with Josh Harris, an area native, and his impressive group of partners. We look forward to the prompt completion of this…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 12, 2023
The reported sale price for the Commanders was $6.05 billion. That exceeds the number the Denver Broncos received in 2022 when they were sold for over $4 million.
The massive announcement drew a significant reaction from the sports world. So not surprisingly, the sports world had a lot to say.
I could not be more excited to be a partner in the proposed new ownership group for the Washington Commanders. 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 DMV community. I’m so…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 12, 2023
Hard to overstate how well received the news of the sale of the Commanders will be in the DC area.
List of priorities for the new owner in no particular order:
Build at RFK site.
Ditch Commanders name and look.
Go back to Burgundy and Gold – Call it Football Club – whatever.…— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) May 12, 2023
It's really happening.
The grip of Daniel Snyder (no longer Mr. Snyder to me and you) is being taken off the Commanders' steering wheel.
Team is announcing sale, subject to owner approval (pro forma).
Friend and family in the DC are seeing this as a liberation day, it's here.— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) May 12, 2023
It is a happy day for @Commanders fans! Josh Harris and his group have reached an agreement on a sale. The new era in Washington is here. #HTTC #NFL #NBSMedia pic.twitter.com/nEB8uynDu9
— TEAM NBS Media (@TeamNBSMedia) May 12, 2023
THE WASHINGTON COMMANDERS HAVE OFFICIALLY OFFICIALLY BEEN SOLD TO JOSH HARRIS. Was a non exclusive, now it’s a ‘sale and purchase’ agreement!
— Washington DC Sports News (@DCSportsNews365) May 12, 2023
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022