by AIRLINKFREIGHTSReport: Josh Harris, Magic Johnson Group’s Bid to Buy Commanders Sent to NFL
AP Photo/Derik Hamilton
The ownership group attempting to buy the Washington Commanders from Daniel Snyder, led by Philadelphia 76ers governor and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris, has been submitted to the NFL for review, per multiple reports.
Sportico @Sportico
EXCLUSIVE: The NFL has received the terms of the deal between Josh Harris and Dan Snyder for review as the sale moves one step closer to completion.
Next, the league will review the deal and return it to the parties for alteration or, if approved, signatures. pic.twitter.com/GQWAaivzyD
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
This is true. The next step, as the bid has been submitted to the NFL for review. Another sign that Josh Harris is the likely new owner of the #Commanders, assuming all goes well with the league. https://t.co/na6ibFuK00
Daniel Kaplan @KaplanSportsBiz
can confirm @Sportico report Josh Harris bid for the Commanders has been sent to the league
Mark Maske of the Washington Post added:
The prospective ownership group also includes NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who is also a part of the ownership groups for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and LAFC.
Last week, ESPN’s John Keim reported that Snyder had a “preliminary nonexclusive agreement” with Harris’ ownership group, which was “fully financed but not signed, meaning another group could still come in and buy the team. Any deal also has to be submitted and approved by league owners.”
That has now reportedly advanced to the league approval phase. The bid is reportedly for $6.05 billion, and any sale approval isn’t expected until the league meetings on May 22-24. For approval, 24 of the league’s 31 other owners would have to sign off. It seems extremely likely that will happen.
Peter King of Pro Football Talk additionally reported that Harris and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell spoke on Wednesday.
“Calls like that would be Harris saying he had a tentative deal with Snyder,” an ownership source told King.
Harris had previously bid on the Denver Broncos last year, though the Walton-Penner Family Group ultimately won that bidding. And per multiple reports, Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos is still in the mix.
But per most accounts, the bid headlined by Harris and Johnson is the frontrunner, and the sale is expected.
“Seems like we’re at the two-yard-line going in, but with Dan, it’s never over till it’s over,” another source told King.
The NFL almost assuredly will be pleased to remove Snyder, who has been entangled in legal issues in recent years, including allegedly fostering a workplace environment rife with sexual harassment and misconduct.
The product on the field hasn’t been great either. In 24 years as owner, the Washington franchise has gone 164-220-2, with just two wins in six playoff appearances.
A change has long felt necessary. Harris and Johnson might finally usher in a new era of Commanders football.