Tag: fedex field

Commanders owner Josh Harris on team’s facilities: ‘I’m not an F-minus guy’

Josh Harris talks about Washington’s poor grades from the NFLPA survey and the all of the work the team is doing.

When the NFLPA released its first report cards in 2023, the goal was to provide anonymous feedback from players on all 32 NFL teams. Some of the items graded in the report cards were team facilities, medical care, coaches and treatment of the players’ families.

The Washington Commanders didn’t grade well in the first or second year of the report cards. Whether it was outdated team headquarters in Ashburn, Va., the locker rooms or the training staff, the team scored poorly in many categories.

In some good news, Washington made a big jump in the ownership category this year, scoring a “B.”

Majority owner Josh Harris has pledged improvements of over $75 million to FedEx Field and the team’s facilities since taking over last July.

At the NFL owners meetings this week, Harris spoke with JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington about the report cards and was asked specifically about some of the Commanders’ grades. Harris offered a terrific answer.

“I’m not an F-minus guy,” Harris said, referring to some of the grades the team received. “I didn’t even know you could get an F-minus. Obviously, we’ve jumped all over that; first of all, that report is based on interviews that occurred right around the ownership change. It’s clearly something we’re focused on. In fact, (GM) Adam (Peters) and (head coach) Dan (Quinn) had to leave the NFL meetings briefly to go have a discussion with the architects. We’re trying to make a lot of changes there quickly. The NFL player community is a small community; the NFL coaching community is a small community. We want to be a place that everyone says, ‘That’s a great place to be.’ And therefore, we need to upgrade that facility, and we are upgrading that facility.”

Harris continued to discuss the topic, noting that there is only so much that can be done before training camp but the team is working on every aspect to make it a player-friendly environment.

Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas, who re-signed with the team last week, told the media about the changes underway at Commanders Park, even noting the team was getting new carpet in the locker room.

It’s a good time for the Commanders. There is excitement with a new owner, GM and coach. Washington will soon have a new franchise quarterback as it’s expected to select one second overall in next month’s draft.

Commanders make a key off-field hire

The Commanders make a key hire to the business side of the organization.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris continues to remake the franchise he purchased in July. Harris’ first hire occurred in October when he hired Eugene Shen as Washington’s new senior vice president of football strategy.

Harris made his most significant hire in January, naming Adam Peters as the new general manager. From there, Harris and Peters hired Dan Quinn as head coach.

Now, Harris is making moves on the business side. After FedEx announced it was backing out of the final two years of its naming-rights partnership with the Commanders, it left the former FedEx Field without a sponsor.

On Monday, Washington announced the hiring of Jim Rushton as the new chief partnerships officer. Rushton comes from the Los Angeles Chargers and will help in Washington’s search for a new stadium naming-rights partner. Rushton will oversee all aspects of sponsorship and help shape the franchise’s revenue generation strategy.

“Jim is a dynamic sports and entertainment sales and marketing leader with a unique ability to combine vision, strategy, and execution to deliver quantifiable revenue growth,” team president Jason Wright said.

“He brings both creative and analytical skills to his work and is an inclusive leader who will be able to make an immediate impact in this role.”

Rushton will report directly to Wright.

 

Ownership change made a big impact on Commanders’ business in 2023

The Commanders led all NFL teams in attendance growth from 2022 to 2023.

Washington Commanders president Jason Wright said before the team was sold last year that the franchise would see a massive boost in business once the team was sold. In July, a group led by Josh Harris purchased the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for just over $6 billion.

“When there’s an ownership change, we’ll be able to absorb the momentum of that,” Wright said. “They know that. I’m not saying anything that Dan and Tanya don’t know.”

When the deal was finalized in July, there were parties throughout the DMV. Heck, even Harris bought beers for several fans at one event.

Harris spoke of his goals for the Commanders in 2023: Fan experience and improving FedEx Field were among his top priorities. Mission accomplished. Harris and his ownership group immediately invested $40 million in improvements to FedEx Field.

The business did improve. Washington announced a Week 1 sellout. More sellouts followed, but unfortunately for the Commanders, they won only one home game in 2023. So, while they sold out FedEx Field, several games were taken over by opposing fans.

In a new story from Ben Fischer and David Broughton of the Sports Business Journal, Washington led all NFL teams in attendance growth from the 2022 season to the 2023 NFL season.

The Commanders led all NFL teams in attendance growth with a 10% gain in their average crowd size to 63,951, according to an SBJ analysis of published box scores for the 2023 season.

That’s good news for Harris. It also led to an increase in ticket prices, something that didn’t go over well with some.

There is plenty of optimism surrounding the Commanders, despite just completing a 4-13 season. Harris fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday and immediately went to work reshaping the organization, beginning with a search for the next head of football operations.

Trent Williams said 49ers clinched No. 1 seed in Washington was ‘full circle’ moment for him

Trent Williams returned to FedEx Field and helped the 49ers clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage in the playoffs. He discussed his time in Washington.

Trent Williams was supposed to play for the Washington NFL organization forever. For his first nine seasons, things went well between Williams and the organization. Washington’s No. 4 overall pick from the 2010 NFL draft was a perennial Pro Bowler and consistently a bright spot for the team.

However, things changed when Washington’s then-medical staff misdiagnosed a cancerous tumor on his scalp. Williams held out during the 2019 offseason, and when he reported to the team ahead of the NFL trade deadline, then-team president Bruce Allen placed Williams on the non-football injury list.

Williams made it clear his issue was with Allen, not then-owner Daniel Snyder. When Snyder fired Allen after the season, there was hope that new head coach Ron Rivera could mend fences with Williams.

The fences were never mended, and while it’s easy to blame Rivera for that, it’s unclear if Snyder would have ever given Williams a new contract after he had continuously badmouthed the organization.

Things have gone well since then for Williams, as he’s been named first-team All-Pro twice and is in the playoffs every season.

On Sunday, Williams returned to FedEx Field for the first time since his trade during the 2020 NFL draft. He acknowledged there were some emotions, but mostly, it was just another game with so much having passed. And while he is happy in San Francisco, he is thankful for his 10 years in Washington.

“When they dealt me away for nothing, I still had a lot left in the tank,” Williams said after the 49ers’ win over Washington on Sunday, per Kirk Larrabee of 49erswebzone.com. “I think maybe my layoff, battling cancer and stuff, I think a lot of people would think nobody could come back normal, especially at that age. I bet on myself obviously to go to a new organization, but it’s all part of God’s plan. I’m really thankful for my nine years, ten years here, and I think it just made me a better professional overall going to my next chapter.”

Williams has continued to excel since leaving Washington. And at 35, he remains the NFL’s best left tackle.

While the 49ers won Sunday’s game over his former team, Williams accomplished another first — clinching the NFC’s No. 1 seed. And it meant something for Williams to do it at FedEx Field.

“It all came full circle,” Williams said. “I’m really blessed to come back here and actually clinch a number one seed and do something I’ve never done in my career before. I’m super grateful for that. It was good seeing familiar faces, but at the end of the day, I wish those guys nothing but the best. I looked at it as another game. Just a game where I knew a lot of people on the sideline.”

Finally, one of the reporters in the locker room spoke to Williams about Washington’s new ownership. Josh Harris and his group purchased the Commanders for over $6 billion in July, meaning a lot had changed since he last donned the burgundy and gold.

Could Williams see a time in his future when he returned to the organization where he spent the first 10 years of his career?

“No, I think I’m a 49er right now,” Williams said with a smile. “I love the ownership here. I love the organization. I could never speak for the future. I’m taking it one day at a time. But they definitely treat me as their own here, so I really can’t see going anywhere else.”

The question wasn’t necessarily if he’d play for Washington again but if he’d return to the organization when it presumably inducts him into the Ring of Fame.

Things have gone well for Williams since leaving Washington’s organization, as he has a chance to win the Super Bowl. At the same time, brighter times are ahead for the Commanders due to their new ownership group.

49ers DE Chase Young has 1 tackle in his return to Washington

Washington was without both of its starting offensive tackles in the game.

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Washington Commanders 27-10 on Sunday, clinching the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Sunday also featured the returns of defensive end Chase Young and left tackle Trent Williams to Washington.

Young, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, was traded on Oct. 31 for a third-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft. After the trade, someone in Washington’s organization described the trade as “addition by subtraction,” noting Young’s durability and undisciplined play.

Williams was traded during the 2020 NFL draft after 10 seasons with the organization after being at odds with management.

Before the game, the former Washington first-round picks came out of the tunnel together in their return to FedEx Field.

How did the duo fare in their return?

Williams was his usual dominant self, opening holes for San Francisco’s running backs while leading an offensive line that did not allow a sack while the game was competitive.

Meanwhile, Young was credited with one tackle in his return to Washington, playing situational snaps. Since his trade to San Francisco, Young has been playing 54% of the 49ers’ defensive snaps, and he had 2.5 sacks in seven games before Sunday.

The Commanders entered Sunday without both starting offensive tackles. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. was placed on IR Saturday, while right tackle Andrew Wylie was ruled out before the game, paving the way for Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott to start at left and right tackle, respectively.

Against a pair of backup tackles and facing a quarterback who has been sacked 61 times,  Young had just one tackle in Sunday’s game.

Washington coach Ron Rivera hasn’t gotten many things right, but he doesn’t look wrong for trading Young for a 2024 third-round compensatory pick.

 

Should the Commanders’ ownership have raised ticket prices?

It wasn’t a great week to reveal season tickets were going up in 2024.

The Commanders announced this week they are raising season ticket prices for the 2024 season.

But should they?

Yes, upgrades at FedEx Field did not come for free. In fact, the new ownership was said to have to pay about $40 million of the upgrades made to the stadium that some have voiced may be the NFL’s worst.

Washington’s home-field advantage has certainly decreased over the last decade as fans grew tired of losing under previous long-time owner Daniel Snyder.

But the NFL makes so much more money in television revenue these days that ticket sales are not as significant as they once were.

Secondly, Washington’s stadium turnout on game days is embarrassing to repeatedly find as many or perhaps sometimes even more fans cheering on the visiting team.

Those opposing fans are purchasing single-game tickets in such enormous numbers that last week, some Miami Dolphins players voiced they had never experienced so much support from fans when Miami was the visiting team.

Perhaps Mr. Josh Harris and his group are not as concerned after all that many Washington fans are still not coming out to support the Burgundy and Gold home team. As long as there are enough visiting fans in the stands, might Harris only be looking at the bottom line of money?

I realize it is a business, but aren’t there ways to actually raise the number of Commanders season ticket holders? Aren’t there ways to entice more Washington fans to purchase season tickets?

After all, if they are not purchasing season tickets, that means there are going to be more single-game tickets available for the visiting team’s fans.

How badly does the Harris ownership group actually want FedEx to be nearly full of Washington fans wearing burgundy and gold? Well, if they do, isn’t the best way to work toward that end through season tickets?

If there are fewer season ticket holders next year for the 2024 season, it will be understandable. The Commanders just lost their last two games, 45-10 and 45-15. How can the fans receive the news of this increase in season ticket purchases by an average of nearly 9 percent and be excited to make that purchase for next year?

If Mr. Harris wants fewer opposing teams fans in FedEx Field in 2024, shouldn’t he be figuring out how to get more Commanders fans to invest in season tickets?

The team is terrible right now, having lost 9 of their last 11 games! If you want tens of thousands more Commanders fans to be season ticket holders, why not offer them a break? Why not offer them a deal?

Why not offer Commanders season ticket holders a 20% reduction in parking and a card that season ticket holders can purchase all concessions for 20% less? While you’re at it, why not offer season tickets at a 20% discount?

Come on, why not offer Commanders fans something to which they can respond, “Now, that’s a good deal. I need to sign up and take advantage of that deal.”

Reward season ticket holders and you will increase your season ticket members, which will increase your parking revenue and your concessions and stadium store revenue.

Reward season ticket holders, or you will only have more visiting team’s fans in the stadium in 2024.

Commanders raise season ticket prices for 2024

A few days after the Miami Dolphins took over FedEx Field, Washington season ticket holders learned of a price increase for 2024.

The Washington Commanders are winning off the field. Under new owner Josh Harris, the Commanders have sold out all six home games at FedEx Field this season.

Of course, those sellouts come with a bit of a disclaimer, as a late surge by Miami Dolphins fans last week helped sell out FedEx Field. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill were pleasantly surprised by the amount of Miami fans in Maryland.

The “winning off the field” line is a throwback to former team president Bruce Allen, who proclaimed at the end of the 2014 season that the then-Redskins were winning off the field after a 4-12 season. Interestingly enough, the Commanders could be headed to another four-win season in 2023.

Currently 4-9, Washington has lost four in a row and nine of its last 11 games. The Commanders have been outscored 90-25 in their previous two games.

While Washington limps to the finish line of another lost season, season ticket holders received a notice on Wednesday about their 2024 season tickets. And, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, there will be an average 8.9% increase in 2024.

Several season ticket holders posted about the increase on social media.

One fan told Jhabvala it was a bold move by the new ownership group.

“It’s kind of a bold move by Josh Harris,”  20-year Washington season ticket holder Kenny Alvo said. “……..I understand how sports work. Things get pricier. Things get more in demand as every year goes on. But for a franchise that has dealt with what we have dealt with in Washington, it’s a terrible look, I feel, to do it in [season] two of [his ownership].

The Commanders have had trouble filling FedEx Field for years, and if not for the fans of opposing teams, the multiple sellouts likely would not have occurred. While a rate increase appeared inevitable, considering the Harris group’s investments into FedEx Field and the increased demand, the timing isn’t optimal.

In a letter to the ticket holders, current team president Jason Wright outlined the team’s optimism for 2024, noting how the Commanders have five draft picks in the top 100 of the 2024 NFL draft and ample cap space to make roster improvements.

 

Tyreek Hill says FedEx Field was like a home game for Dolphins

Tyreek Hill noticed all those Dolphins fans.

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill looked like he was at home in Miami’s 45-15 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Hill caught five passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdowns were for 78 and 60 yards.

Hill probably could have had a lot more against Washington, but Miami head coach Mike McDaniel took it easy on the Commanders in the second half.

On this week’s episode of “Hard Knocks,” the cameras looked back at Miami’s preparation for the Commanders last week and filmed through Sunday’s game at FedEx Field.

The Commanders announced a sixth consecutive sellout at FedEx Field on Saturday, but it was clear by game time on Sunday many of those tickets sold went to Dolphins fans.

After the game, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa noticed, thanking Miami fans for coming to the game.

On the new episode of “Hard Knocks,” Hill had the following to say when seeing all the aqua, orange and blue in the stands.

“It’s like a home game,” Hill said. “Look at all these Fins fans in here, man.”

You can watch the episode here, with Hill’s comments coming at around the 24:39 mark.

https://youtu.be/G5CtR_EBLnE?si=04YWQVAPXTJdbq7o

It was another embarrassing scene for Washington on its home field. It’s expected that Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Dallas, New York Giants, or even Green Bay fans to invade FedEx Field, but seeing so many Miami fans was surprising.

Owner Josh Harris has his hands full. Fortunately for Washington fans, a new era will begin in exactly one month.

Another rough day for FedEx Field

Fire alarms. Miami invasion. A Washington loss. Just another day at FedEx Field.

When the Washington Commanders announced on X Saturday that FedEx Field was sold out for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, it meant every home game this season was a sellout. So, for new owner Josh Harris, that meant six home games thus far, and all were sellouts.

That may not appear to be a big deal from those outside of Washington, but if you’ve followed the franchise in recent years, you’d know it’s been difficult to convince Washington fans to come to games.

And considering the Commanders were 4-8 heading into their Week 13 game against the Miami Dolphins, they weren’t necessarily a hot ticket.

As it turns out, it wasn’t Washington fans who packed FedEx Field. It was Miami fans.

Another view:

And there’s this quote from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa about the number of Miami fans at FedEx Field.

Another embarrassing day for the Washington franchise.

It’s normal when teams such as Dallas, Philadelphia, the New York Giants, or Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of fans at FedEx Field, but it was certainly an eye-opener to see so many Miami fans in Washington’s stadium.

To make matters worse, a fire alarm was going off after the game, which turned out to be a false alarm. In Washington’s last home game three weeks ago, there was a water issue where players couldn’t take hot showers after the game.

It didn’t go unnoticed.

Commanders announce 6th home sellout of 2023 season

And Nachos are 50% off.

The Washington Commanders announced Saturday that their Week 13 game against the Miami Dolphins is sold out. It’s Washington’s sixth home sellout of the season under the new ownership team led by Josh Harris.

Unfortunately for the Commanders, they’re 4-8 on the season and haven’t won at FedEx Field since the season-opening victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 10.

As has often been the case in recent years, opposing fans have made up a large portion of those buying tickets, and that’s likely to be the case on Sunday when the Commanders host the Dolphins, one of the AFC’s best teams.

While it’s easy to mock the team’s performance, ownership is at least trying to do some positive promotions for those who attend.

The 50% off on Nachos on Sunday is a real win for whichever team you support.