In the US professional football league NFL, the record-breaking sale of the Washington Commanders is imminent.
Multiple media outlets reported Thursday that an investor group that includes basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson is offering $6 billion for the franchise. The total would be a record for sales by a North American sports team. According to the reports, the deal should be fixed in the coming days, official confirmations are still pending.
The previous owner, Dan Snyder, had bought the team from the federal capital in 1990 for 800 million dollars. The club has borne its current name since 2022, last season the Commanders finished ninth in the National Football Conference (NFC) and thus missed the play-offs.
Network of professional sports clubs
The group of investors is reportedly led by Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales. Harris, who also co-owns NBA team Philadelphia 76ers and NHL club New Jersey Devils, would be involved with teams in three of the four major US sports leagues on a successful completion. He is also a partner in Premier League football club Crystal Palace.
Snyder came under pressure after the NFL and the US Congress investigated the Commanders’ workplace culture and possible financial irregularities. In 2021, the NFL fined $10 million after independent counsel found there was a “general lack of respect” for women in the workplace.
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