The Dallas Cowboys’ biggest rival has been sold.
Jerry Jones and 30 other team owners in the NFL unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders to an ownership group led by Josh Harris this week.
Harris, a D.C.-area native who also owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils through the company Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, agreed to purchase the club from embattled longtime owner Daniel Snyder for a record-setting $6.05 billion in April. The only remaining obstacle to the sale was the approval received on Thursday.
“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an official NFL press release. “Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well.”
The team held a press conference introducing its new ownership on Friday.
“This franchise is part of who I am and who I became,” Harris said as he addressed the crowd. “It’s part of my DNA, but I appreciate that it’s not just about being a fan. I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to this city to win championships, to create a positive impact on the community, and create great experiences and memories for future fans just like I had when I was a kid.”
“I’ve done this before, and I believe that we are up to this task,” he continued. “In order to win, we’re going to need the best, most committed people. Starting today, we will attract those people with a culture defined by excellence, dignity, respect and inclusivity. … We all need to work together to make sure that this team is a force that unites people in an otherwise divided world and brings them together.”
The Commanders, specifically Snyder, have been the subject of many investigations into sexual and financial misconduct in the workplace, allegedly leading to the team’s sale.
The latest independent investigation found that Snyder sexually harassed a team employee and hid critical financial information from the league, resulting in a $60 million fine.
“You have to let the employees know that you respect them, and it will be a safe place to work,” NBA legend Magic Johnson, who is part of the new Commanders ownership group, told NBC on The Today Show earlier in the week.
“We want you to have a winning attitude,” he elaborated. “The owners just can’t have a winning attitude. It’s got to trickle down to the employees, and it’s got to trickle down to the coaches and trickle down to the players. If we respect them, they will respect us and go through the wall for us.”
The franchise has also received some backlash for its recent name changes. While no significant changes are immediately expected, there is a possibility that the franchise could rebrand itself again.
“We’re going to spend this year understanding what we have in place,” Johnson said. “Right now, we’ve got enough work to do that will keep us busy.”
The Washington Commanders will kick off their first season under the new ownership group by hosting the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, September 10.