Tag: Daniel Snyder

It’s over: NFL approves Josh Harris as new Commanders owner

The Dan Snyder era is officially over.

[stnvideo key=”iIQSLAnBNi-2891956-8179″ type=”float”]

After 24 years and 57 days, Daniel M. Snyder is no longer the owner of the Washington Commanders.

On Thursday, the NFL owners held a special meeting in Minneapolis, voting to approve a group led by Josh Harris as Washington’s new owner. Harris agreed to a deal with Snyder in May to purchase the Commanders for $6.05 billion.

Just ahead of 5 p.m. ET Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN made it official.

“A monumental Washington day: NFL owners now have unanimously approved the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris, per league source,” tweeted Schefter.

Here’s Schefter’s full thread of tweets.

We’ll follow this story for fan reactions, player reactions and reactions from around the sports world.

 

Mary Jo White present in Minneapolis for NFL owners meetings

Is White updating NFL owners on her investigation into Snyder and the Commanders?

The NFL’s Mary Jo White-led investigation opened in Feb. 2022, after the league hired her to investigate former Washington employee Tiffani Johnston’s harassment allegation against Commanders owner Daniel Snyder.

As of July 20, White’s investigation into Snyder, the Commanders hasn’t been made public. Is the investigation over? Is the NFL waiting for the sale of the Commanders from Snyder to Josh Harris?

As the NFL owners converged in Minneapolis Thursday to vote on the sale of the franchise, there is an update on White — sort of.

According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, White entered the room with NFL owners to presumably update them on her investigation into Snyder and the Commanders.

Owners are expected to approve the sale of the Commanders Thursday. Therefore, there should be actual news on White’s investigation at some point soon, right?

Longtime Washington writer Rick Snider weighed in on what’s likely happening.

It will all be over soon.

Jerry Jones on Commanders sale: ‘I think it’s going to be a great day for the NFL’

Jerry weighs in on the sale. Looks forward to handing the Commanders some “capital punishment.”

If you’ve followed social media at all Thursday, you’ve likely seen multiple NFL owners on escalators. Of course, NFL owners are in Minneapolis for a big meeting. On Thursday, owners are expected to vote on the sale of Washington Commanders from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris for $6.05 billion.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was one of those owners spotted in Minneapolis, and he was asked if Thursday would be a big day for fans of the Commanders.

Snyder’s longtime confidante responded.

“I think it’s going to be a great day for the NFL,” Jones said. ” Excited, and I think it’s a hallmark day. Excited about the prospects of going into Washington and giving ’em some capital punishment.”

Jones was once Snyder’s biggest ally in ownership circles, but it was apparent over the last year that Jones’ support of Snyder had waned.

Son of former Washington owner says Josh Harris should change the name

John Kent Cooke is excited about a new era of Washington football, just not so much the name.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

John Kent Cooke has largely remained in the background since Daniel Snyder bought the Washington NFL franchise from his father’s estate in 1999. Cooke worked for the franchise for years and assumed control of the team after his father  — the legendary Jack Kent Cooke — died in 1997.

However, Jack Kent Cooke’s will stated that the team must be sold to the highest bidder, which was Snyder, for $800 million in 1999.

Through the years, the younger Cooke clearly didn’t like what Snyder had done to the franchise he loved.

On Thursday, the now-Commanders will have a new owner. NFL owners will vote to approve a group led by Josh Harris as Washington’s new owner. After 24 years of Snyder, the franchise finally gets a fresh start.

In an interview with Matthew Paras of The Washington Times, Cooke is excited about a new era of Washington football.

“It’s going to be a very good new era,” Cooke told Paras. “And the interim era between the Cooke family and the Harris family was not a good era.”

While Cooke was positive about the ownership change, one thing he didn’t like was the team name. Washington rebranded as the Commanders in Feb. 2022, after Snyder, due to pressure, changed the “Redskins” name to the temporary moniker, “Football Team,” in July 2020.

“The Commanders is a poor name, and I think it’s unpopular, so they should change the name,” Cooke said.

Many Washington will agree with Cooke. Others are just happy to turn the page from Snyder, regardless of the team name.

It doesn’t appear that changing the name again is on Harris’ agenda, but he will certainly be asked about it when he officially meets the media as Washington’s new owner.

 

Washington fans anxious for the end of Dan Snyder era

The celebration began a day early on social media.

It’s Thursday, July 20 — and you know what that means.

NFL owners will convene in Minneapolis Thursday to vote on the sale of the Washington Commanders. A group led by Josh Harris agreed to purchase the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for $6.05 billion in May. After some twists and turns, the day has finally arrived for a new owner for one of the NFL’s flagship franchises.

No more fans saying, “We will believe it when we see it,” or “It will never happen.”

It’s happening, folks.

At some point Thursday afternoon, a depressing 24-year chapter in Washington’s 91-year franchise history ends when NFL owners unanimously approve Harris and his partners as the Commanders’ new owners.

There will be parties celebrating Washington’s fresh start.

On Wednesday, fans, media and others took to Twitter to celebrate a day many thought would never come.

Commanders officially announce training camp pep rally for Friday

A new era begins Friday.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

The Washington Commanders officially announced a training camp pep rally scheduled for 1 p.m. at FedEx Field on Friday. Friday, of course, will be the first full day for Josh Harris and his group as Washington’s new owners.

The Commanders announced the event on social media, revealing there will be special guests, such as Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, multiple franchise legends, mascot Major Tuddy, Command Force and more.

What or who did the Commanders mean when they said more? In all caps, nonetheless.

Owners will vote on the sale of the Commanders Thursday. It’s expected that NFL owners will approve Harris and his partners as Washington’s new owners, but it’s still not official. Therefore, the team account couldn’t say Harris and his partners would be in attendance.

However, a report from Darren Haynes of WUSA Channel 9 in Washington indicated that the Harris group would be in attendance. We shall see.

Former Washington players Logan Paulsen and Fred Smoot will host the event. Both work on the media side for the team and are outstanding in their roles. Smoot at a pep rally should be fun.

Fans can attend with an RSVP, which you can find here.

 

 

Jay Gruden: Commanders owner ‘Snyder made it too much about himself’

The former Washington coach discusses working under Snyder.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

“I think you have to be happy (Snyder is leaving), without a doubt,” opened Jay Gruden.

That was how the former Washington Redskins head coach began responding as a guest recently on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast. Sheehan had inquired if Gruden could provide his thoughts on the Dan Snyder era as Washington owner.

“I think moving forward with a new owner will be very beneficial for this organization,” Gruden answered. “I just think Dan made it too much about himself. As far as trying to put his stamp on the team by picking the players and coaches.”

Gruden, in his six seasons as Washington head coach, was 35-49-1 (.418). But he didn’t always get the players he wanted, as Snyder sometimes intervened in drafts and free agency.

“He wasn’t experienced enough in the business to make those decisions.” Gruden said of Snyder. “He didn’t put in the work. For him to pick a player in the draft is asinine. He didn’t put the work in. He didn’t watch the players. He didn’t go to the meetings. He didn’t go to the scouts’ meetings.”

Gruden then discussed his experience in Cincinnati, where he worked before coming to Washington.

“Mike Brown (owner of the Bengals), when I was with the Cincinnati Bengals, sat in meetings, watched the film, put in the work. When he made a decision, it was based upon what he saw, what he took in from the coaches and from the scouts. So I respected that.”

“I don’t respect the guy that doesn’t watch the film and comes in, makes the pick, and tells you who he is signing in free agency.”

“It makes no sense when we and the scouts are doing all of the film work, and all of a sudden, he comes in and makes the pick. So, I think it is going to be a very beneficial move for all of the fans and for the organization moving forward.”

“You have to respect the fact that he put himself in the position to own an NFL team. When you are the owner, the boss, then you can do things the way you want to. I have had to accept it.”

“When you are not the boss, you have to do what the boss says. I did that. I tried to be a good coach, a good employee. It was my job to listen to the owner but to give my input. If my input was used, great. If not, then I had to deal with it and do the best with what I had.”

Report: Josh Harris group expected at FedEx Field Friday for Commanders training camp pep rally

A new era officially begins Friday.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

The Washington Commanders will have a new ownership group led by Josh Harris on Thursday. The NFL will hold a special meeting where owners will vote on Harris’ $6.05 billion bid to buy the Commanders from Daniel Snyder.

The Washington Post reported Monday that the NFL finance committee endorsed Harris as Washington’s next owner. Additionally, the NFL and Snyder’s legal team reached an agreement that resolves any remaining issues, remaining any hurdles that could have potentially complicated the sale.

What happens after the NFL votes to approve Harris and his partners?

Apparently, the Harris group is wasting no time in getting to work. Per Darren Haynes of WUSA Channel 9 in Washington, D.C., Harris and his partners will be at FedEx Field on Friday for the Commanders’ training camp pep rally.

Some of Harris’ partners include Washington businessman and philanthropist Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

This is a smart move by Harris and his partners. The beginning of training camp is exciting for all 32 NFL teams. And Harris is taking over at the perfect time.

Not only are Washington fans excited about a new season, but getting rid of Snyder, too. Fans will be fired up for the Harris group as it genuinely begins a new era for the franchise.

Report: NFL finance committee endorses Josh Harris as the new owner of the Commanders

There’s nothing else preventing the sale now.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

We are only days away from NFL owners meeting and voting on the sale of the Washington Commanders from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris for $6.05 billion.

On Monday, a significant step in the Commanders sale occurred when the NFL finance committee met virtually and informally voted to recommend approval of Harris’ $6.05 billion-dollar bid to purchase the franchise, according to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Why is this significant? Due to the large number of Harris’ minority partners, there were more complexities in this purchase than in previous team sales. The money was never an issue for the Harris group, but the NFL finance committee noted some tweaks would need to be made.

Harris and one of his partners, Mitchell Rales, traveled to New York to meet with the finance committee last month, likely overcoming any remaining hurdles before the committee recommended approval.

Additionally, the NFL and Snyder’s legal team reached an agreement that resolves any remaining issues that could have potentially threatened to complicate the sale.

Something else of interest in the Post’s report was that Snyder recently met with Mary Jo White as her investigation nears completion. The report could be released soon, with Harris expected to take over by Friday.

We are merely days away from Washington having a new owner.

Could Commanders owner Snyder, have one final trick up his sleeve?

The vote for Washington’s ownership transfer is expected this week.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8169″]

One NFL insider is not yet ready to say Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder won’t make one final attempt to mess up everything.

Though Daniel Snyder had his office at the Ashburn facility cleaned out prior to the 2022 season finale home game against Dallas, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk is still not putting it past Snyder to attempt something.

“Daniel Snyder is leaving; he wants to leave it all behind him,” said Florio Thursday. He doesn’t want to be responsible for any liabilities that may arise in the future.”

However, there is one item Florio believes could cause problems in this sale to the Josh Harris group this upcoming Friday.

“I overlooked a very important issue of how the NFL and Daniel Snyder will handle the potential for liability arising from the actions of one or the other. Snyder presumably wants indemnification for anything that could stick to him in this Gruden email case.  The league may want indemnification for Dan Snyder for anything that could stick to them, caused by him.”

Florio feels “it is possible that both sides have civil liability to Jon Gruden by the time this is all said and done.”

Gruden may have some leverage in trying to get more of a financial settlement from the NFL. Thus, could this hold up the sale being approved this coming Friday?

Who leaked the Jon Gruden emails? Snyder testified under oath that he did not leak the emails. Bruce Allen testified under oath the NFL told him they did not leak the emails but that the leak came from the team.

How much money will be enough for Gruden to settle? Will the settlement be with the NFL or Snyder?

Florio doesn’t see Snyder wanting to move on so easily. “If he wants to be a jerk, yeah, he can hold their feet to the fire. ‘I want this, I want that. Hey, you want to get rid of me; you give me those things. Otherwise, I’m not going.’ Wouldn’t that be something?”

Meanwhile, Commanders fans, media following the team, franchise employees and the team itself want this to simply be concluded and for Snyder to determine he will quietly ride off into the sunset.

Having made a huge profit, after all.