The Washington Commanders have reached a non-exclusive agreement to sell the franchise to Josh Harris, whose ownership group includes NBA legend Magic Johnson, for an NFL-record price of $6.05 billion, reports NFL.com. Philanthropist Mitchell Rales is also a part of the ownership group.
According to the reports, although an agreement has been tentatively reached, the league has yet to approve the sale which is expected to happen soon. When a sale of an NFL team takes place, the agreement must be approved by the NFL's finance committee and at least three-fourths (24) of the league's 32 owners. The NFL owners are scheduled to meet in Minneapolis in May for the Spring League Meeting.
Currently, the Commanders are owned by Dan and Tanya Snyder, who purchased the team in 1999. Since their purchase of the team, a once preeminent football team has been mired in controversy. From allegations that Synder took out a $55 million loan in 2020 without the company's consent to numerous women claiming that he created a toxic working environment. Also, Snyder intially refused to change the name of the team from the Redskins until public pressure forced his hand.
Harris is co-owner of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils. He is also currently a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Johnson, a former co-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers, is co-owner of the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Soccer's Los Angeles FC, and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
