Josh Harris and his partners bought the Washington Commanders last July for a record $6.05 billion, the highest price ever paid for a U.S. professional sports franchise.
The deal was complicated and took months to complete due to the amount of partners in Harris’ group. It also significantly raised Washington’s value.
On Monday, Sportico revealed its annual list of the NFL’s most valuable franchises. No surprise, the Dallas Cowboys again topped the list, but for the first time ever, are the first sports franchise to ever top $10 billion at $10.32 billion.
The timing is interesting for Dallas, as owner Jerry Jones needs to pay his top three players. The Cowboys finished the 2023 calendar year with an operating profit of $510 million — almost double the next-closest team.
So, what are the Commanders valued at ahead of the 2024 NFL season?
Sportico values Washington at $6.3 billion, the 10th-highest in the NFL. The Commanders ended the 2023 year with a $110 million operating profit, ahead of only six other NFL teams. This is remarkable considering Washington’s current stadium situation and its consistent losing that drove away many fans.
Speaking of Washington’s stadium, currently known as Commanders Field, Harris and his partners are using it as a way to maximize revenue, much like Jones and other NFL owners.
From Sportico:
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment CEO Tad Brown says non-NFL events are a “massive focus” for the Washington Commanders, which Josh Harris’ group bought last year for $6.05 billion. Brown said HBSE’s Entertainment team has been supporting the Commanders in attracting top events to Landover, Md., including a series of soccer friendlies this summer and booking concerts and other non-football events for summer 2025.
Harris has continued to invest in the current stadium to upgrade the fan experience for NFL and non-NFL events but is also looking at the club’s next home. Brown said the Commanders’ eventual new venue will be designed as a world-class football stadium and to host the biggest concerts and special events on a global scale.
Washington’s ownership group is currently negotiating a new stadium with Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. A location has yet to be finalized. However, once the Commanders finally build a new stadium, their value will soar.