2023-07-21 00:42:33
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — NFL owners unanimously approved Thursday the sale of Dan Snyder’s Washington Commanders to a consortium led by Josh Harris — and including Magic Johnson — for a record $6.05 billion.
Right following authorizing the sale, the league announced a $60 million fine imposed on Snyder for misconduct that was substantiated following an investigation into the team’s work culture and business dealings.
“We are humbled and in awe of the level of responsibility we have, taking care of the city, winning championships and really getting the fans excited once more,” Harris said at a post-vote news conference.
The purchase by Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment marks the highest price paid for a professional sports club in North America. Harris, like Snyder and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, grew up in the Washington metropolitan area, an ardent supporter of the team.
“He has a remarkable business background, not just in finance, but now in sports. I think he is a person who cares a lot regarding not only his assets but more importantly, his communities,” Goodell said.
The sale was expected to close in the coming days, ending a grim period of more than two decades for one of the NFL’s oldest franchises.
All 32 team owners voted in favor of the sale.
After the NFL finance committee approved the deal with the new owners, the Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment consortium, a special league meeting was called to vote on it before the 2023 season begins.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, was ecstatic regarding the transaction involving his division rivals.
“This is a momentous day,” Jones told reporters before entering the conference room. “I’m excited to go to Washington to punish them.”
The owners also received a briefing from former federal prosecutor Mary Jo White, who led an NFL investigation into the Commanders a year and a half ago in light of a congressional review of questionable workplace conduct. The case also included a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission for possible wrongdoing by Snyder in business matters.
The investigation substantiated an allegation that Snyder had sexually harassed a former team employee, who had raised the matter before a House committee.
Snyder has been the owner of the team he loves since 1999, when he bought it for $800 million.
But the team had little success on the field, aside from being rocked by scandals off it.
With Snyder at the helm, the team made the playoffs six times in 24 years. He barely won a postseason game and went 166-226-2. The team lost that fearsome aura of the glory days under head coach Joe Gibbs, who won three Super Bowls in his 12-year tenure from 1981-1992.
The Commanders have also been rocked by a variety of non-football issues, from a dispute with minority investors that ended with Snyder buying out their shares to allegations of sexual harassment.
Time and time once more, Snyder insisted that he would not sell the team. But he ended up doing it.
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Whyno reported from Washington.
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