Dan Snyder announces he has agreed to sell the Washington Commanders to Josh Harris

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has agreed to a sale to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris. 

Snyder, released a joint statement with his wife, Tanya, Friday afternoon revealing an accord had been struck.

Despite coming to terms, the sale will need to be finalized by the league. The NFL’s financial committee will have to give a green light before the league’s 31 other owners, three fourths of whom would need to give their approval. 

‘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 transaction and to rooting for Josh and the team in the coming years.’ 

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has agreed to a sale to a group led by Josh Harris

Josh Harris (left) currently owns the 76ers, while Magic Johnson (right) is a Dodgers co-owner

Harris will be part of an ownership group including Lakers and NBA legend Magic Johnson, Mitch Rales and David Blitzer. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting approval from the league and its owner could occur ‘in May or in the ensuing months.’ A new stadium is one of Harris’ greatest priorities, according to the NFL insider.

‘On behalf of our entire ownership group… I want to express how excited we are to be considered by the NFL to be the next owners of the Washington Commanders and how committed we are to delivering a championship-caliber franchise for this city and its fanbase,’ Harris said. 

‘Growing up in Chevy Chase, I experienced first-hand the excitement around the team, including its three Super Bowl victories and long-term winning culture. 

‘We look forward to the formal approval of our ownership by the NFL in the months ahead and to having the honor to serve as responsible and accountable stewards of the Commanders franchise moving forward.’ 

The Snyders have agreed to finally sell the NFC East team, a move sure to please its fanbase

Commanders coach Ron Rivera will have a new boss presuming the agreed sale is ratified

Magic Johnson expressed his happiness at potentially becoming a partner in the Commanders 

Last month, Sportico reported a $6billion deal had been agreed upon. If those figures are in fact correct, it would become the most expensive purchase for a sports franchise. 

A $4.65 billion purchase of the Denver Broncos was made by the Walton-Penner family, the heirs to the Walmart fortune, last year.

If Harris is approved as owner, he would own stakes in three pro teams, including the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. He currently has a stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers, which he will need to sell before his purchase of the Commanders can be finalized. 

Johnson, meanwhile, has stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers and the WNBA’s Sparks. 

‘I could not be more excited to be a partner in the proposed new ownership group for the Washington Commanders,’ Johnson wrote on Twitter following the announcement. 

‘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 excited to get to work on executing our vision for the Commanders and our loyal fanbase!’

Snyder bought the NFC East franchise for $800 million in 1999. The NFL franchise is now worth an estimated $5.6 billion, according to Forbes, despite ongoing legal concerns and Snyder’s struggles to secure land for a new stadium. 

The 58-year-old Snyder has faced fans’ calls to sell the struggling team for years, but pressure has been mounting since 2020 following accusations of sexual harassment, financial impropriety, and obstruction against the team and Snyder himself. 

Sexual harassment allegations against team employees ranged from inappropriate comments to the creation of a lewd behind-the-scenes video from a cheerleader calendar shoot in 2008, according to the 2020 Washington Post report that first uncovered the claims. 

A former cheerleader also alleged that Snyder suggested that she join his ‘close friend’ in a hotel room in 2004 so they ‘could get to know each other.’

Dan Snyder, pictured with wife Tanya, has owned WAS since his $800m purchase in 1999

A fan at Cowboys vs. Commanders on January 8, 2023 with something of a prophetic sign

Snyder denied this claim in a 2020 statement: ‘I want to unequivocally state that this never happened.’

While the Commanders have fired many of the individuals accused of sexual harassment and paid a $10 million fine to the NFL, Snyder has defiantly denied accusations against 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 decided against compiling its findings in a formal written report, citing confidentiality concerns. 

The Committee investigation uncovered previously unknown allegations against the team and Snyder before the probe was cut short when Republicans took control of Congress in 2022. 

Specifically, former team employee Tiffani Johnston claimed to the Oversight Committee that Snyder grabbed her thigh at a team dinner and pressured her to get into a limousine. Snyder has also denied this claim.

Another woman, Melanie Coburn, said she was at Snyder’s home in Aspen when he hosted a party with prostitutes for male employees. 

Redskins cheerleaders seen dancing as part of a 2004 event, where allegations later surfaced

The Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, have made the playoffs six times since Snyder bought the team in 1999. There have been 10 head coaches in this time

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been a vocal critic and previously urged the NFL to remove Snyder as Commanders owner. Speaking at league meetings late last year, Irsay said ‘there’s merit’ to booting Snyder, who ranks as one of the least popular owners in professional sports.

The Commanders have largely struggled since Snyder bought the club in 1999. Washington, a three-time Super Bowl winner and five-time NFC champion, has reached the postseason only six times over Snyder’s tenure. The current head coach, Ron Rivera, is Snyder’s 10th since taking control of the team.

Throughout Snyder’s tenure, the team has been criticized for its now-former nickname, the Redskins, which is considered offensive to Native Americans.

Snyder fought the change for years, but Washington finally dropped the ‘Redskins’ name in 2020 under a wave scrutiny amid the George Floyd protests.