Tag: mark ein

Dan Quinn wanted the Commanders’ job before it was open

One source told a local radio host last month that Dan Quinn badly wanted the Washington job.

On Thursday, a local radio show host took great joy in being right about Dan Quinn being named the Commanders’ new head coach.

Chris Russell, the Team 980 host (1-4 pm, M-F), began his show with a bang. “We have something to be excited about!” Russell howled. “The Commanders have hired themselves a great head coach! That a boy, Adam Peters! That a boy, Josh (Harris), Magic (Johnson), Mark Ein, Mitchell Rales!”

Russell then reminded his listeners that he needed to be honest, admitting that Raheem Morris was his first choice when the process was launched. “Raheem Morris was No. 1 on my list. But Dan Quinn, as soon as Raheem Morris was off of the board, was the guy that I was hoping would get this job.”

“I told you guys, the day after the Dallas Cowboys game, the final game of the season, that I was told by someone in the Dallas Cowboys organization that Dan Quinn wanted this job and was very eagerly anticipating a call from the Commanders. He got it the next morning and wanted this job in the worst way.”

“Yelling into his microphone, Russell continued, “Boy Wonder, Ben Johnson did not want the job! The hell with him! Mike Macdonald didn’t want the job! The hell with him!”

“Dan Quinn wanted the job! (He) was aching to be the head coach of the Washington Commanders! And yet, some of you are already poo-pooing that, like you got a piece of discarded trash! People, adjust your prism. That’s absurd.”

Russell then reminded his listeners who were criticizing Quinn’s hiring that Quinn did not come to the Commanders because he would have all the power. He is not; he is working for Adam Peters, the GM.

The afternoon host then reminded his listeners that Quinn has much experience, having won an NFC Championship with Atlanta and gone 10-6, winning a playoff game the year after offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s departure.

His opening closed with Russell challenging his callers to call him and say why they do NOT believe in second chances for Dan Quinn when they certainly believe in second chances for themselves and their family.

Commanders Wire welcomes Dan Quinn to the Commanders. Hope you can get this thing turned around and enjoy a decade of success here, Dan.

Commanders owners, including Magic Johnson react to big road win

Magic and Mark Ein excited about the 2-0 Commanders.

The Washington Commanders went on the road for the first time in the 2023 NFL season Sunday and picked up a massive 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos.

The Commanders trailed 21-3 in the second quarter before slowly mounting a comeback before halftime. Washington tied the game early in the third quarter and finally took the lead in the fourth quarter. The Commanders would never look back and are 2-0 for the first time since 2011.

After the game, Commanders’ minority partner, Magic Johnson, took to Twitter to express his excitement over Washington’s comeback win.

Johnson was so excited he had another tweet.

It still seems strange to see a sports and business icon like Johnson refer to Washington as “my Commanders.”

Johnson wasn’t the only minority partner to react, as Mark Ein also chimed in on the win.

The Commanders return home to FedEx Field for the next two games against one of the NFL’s best, the Buffalo Bills. It will be exciting to see if the home fans resembles the Week 1 crowd.

Magic Johnson reacts to the Commanders’ Week 1 win

The NBA legend and minority owner enjoyed his first Commanders’ game.

It was a celebratory day at FedEx Field. The Washington Commanders kicked off a new era. New managing partner Josh Harris led the way with several of his minority partners, which included Magic Johnson, Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein.

For a while during Sunday’s game, it looked like the Commanders might disappoint everyone. However, a stellar defensive effort and a Sam Howell touchdown run clinched the game for Washington.

The sold-out crowd at FedEx Field was ecstatic. So were Washington’s new owners.

Johnson took to Twitter to talk about the experience for him and his wife, Cookie.

Ein took to Twitter before Sunday’s game to thank the fans and community.

It was a landmark day for the Washington Commanders. The true dawn of a new era.

LOOK: Josh Harris is at the Commanders’ preseason game; in the stands

Washington’s owner had a unique seat for the preseason opener.

In his first game as owner of the Washington Commanders, Josh Harris was in Cleveland to support his team. Harris and minority partners Mitchell Rales and Mark Ein were all in Ohio to support the Commanders in their preseason opener Friday against the Cleveland Browns.

It’s not a surprise that Harris and some of his partners were in town. Harris, flanked by his son, was seen on Washington’s sidelines speaking with team executive Marty Hurney.

Once the game began — after a weather delay of over an hour — you’d expect Harris to take his seat in the press box.

Not Harris.

In no way would the previous owner have sat in the stands amongst the fans, whether it was behind Washington’s bench or not.

In case you missed Rales and Ein, here they are on the field ahead of the game.

Jason Wright says a name change isn’t ‘a topic of conversation this week’

Wright named Washington’s immediate priorities, following the lead of Josh Harris and the other minority owners.

Since Josh Harris officially took over as the new owner of the Washington Commanders two weeks ago, the topic of another name change will not go away.

Minority owner Magic Johnson said in an interview on the TODAY Show that “everything is on the table.” Harris was asked multiple times about the name, and his response was it doesn’t matter what he thinks; it matters what the fans think.

Finally, another minority owner, Harris’ close friend Mark Ein — who, like Harris, is a longtime Washington fan — was asked about the name. Ein acknowledged it’s a problem for fans. All three stopped short of saying there would be a name change, and it certainly wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. The primary focus of Washington is on the 2023 NFL season, improving FedEx Field and the fan experience.

On Wednesday, in an appearance on “Up and Adams” with Kay Adams of FanDuel TV, team president Jason Wright was asked about a potential name change.

Wright, like the three owners, went into detail about the franchise’s immediate priorities. After Wright listed those priorities, Adams followed up: “So, it’s not been talked about?” referring to the name change.

Wright’s answer was brief and to the point:

“It’s not been a topic of conversation this week.”

Wright played a central role in rebranding Washington as the Commanders.

Much like Harris, Johnson and Ein, Wright named the areas of immediate focus for the new ownership. And they all center on the upcoming season, the fan experience and the community.

It’s clear that Harris wants everyone on the same page about the franchise’s immediate priorities while not ruling out anything down the road.

The name change debate continues to be a divisive topic among Washington’s fan base. Some hate the name; others just want to move on and focus solely on football. Regardless of what eventually happens, new ownership is definitely paying attention.

You can watch the full interview here:

Commanders limited partner Mark Ein talks team’s name

Ein acknowledges the name is an issue people are passionate about.

The last thing some Washington fans want to contemplate is another name change. Since July 2020, the storied NFL franchise has undergone three name changes before settling on the “Commanders” in Feb. 2022.

To say the name is divisive would be an understatement. There is a large segment of the fan base who hate the name. Some believe it feels like an expansion team with the name and uniforms. Others feel like it’s the last stench of former owner Dan Snyder. Finally, some are just thrilled Snyder is gone and want to focus on football — not another name change.

No one is wrong.

The talk about the name has increased in recent weeks, with new ownership mentioning “Redskins” on multiple occasions. Even head coach Ron Rivera was asked about so many recent mentions of the old name. Majority owner Josh Harris has been asked about the name, simply saying, it doesn’t matter what he thinks about it; it matters what the fans think.

As Adam Schefter told Harris on his podcast,” They don’t like the name.”

Then there was limited partner Magic Johnson saying “everything is on the table,” during an appearance on the TODAY Show.

Many believe that Johnson and Harris not shutting down talk of the name means they are considering another rebranding — just not anytime soon.

Since taking over so close to the season, Harris and his partners have made it clear that the 2023 season, fan experience and improving FedEx Field were the top priorities. There are also talks for a new stadium. It’s a busy time for Harris, Mitchell Rales, Johnson, David Blitzer and Mark Ein.

Speaking of Ein, Harris’ lifelong friend — and minority partner — he was a recent guest on “The Kevin Sheehan Show” on Team 980.

Sheehan asked Ein about the name change Monday.

“We live here, so we know it’s been an issue that people are really passionate about, and it’s been out there for quite a while,” Ein said per Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “It feels like it’s accelerated a bit since we took over, but it’s complicated. We have a lot of other things in the short-term that we want to focus and deliver on.”

Again, Ein didn’t shut down the talk of a name change but made no promises. That’s exactly how he should handle it. Washington’s new owners do understand the divisive nature of the name. Whether or not it will change again is an issue for down the road. One thing is certain; if there is a name change, it’s not going to be anytime soon.

It’s all about the 2023 NFL season. Then, as Magic Johnson said, “Everything is on the table.”

WATCH: Fans chant for Josh Harris as he signs autographs

There were “Thank you, Josh” chants for Harris.

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris was present for Thursday’s second day of training camp. Harris and minority partner Mitchell Rales watched practice Wednesday and later spoke to the entire team.

The most significant difference between Wednesday and Thursday is fans were present. And fans serenaded Harris with “Thank you, Josh” chants as he signed autographs and took pictures with them.

Rales also joined Harris again on Thursday, as did Harris’ childhood friend — and another of his minority partners — Mark Ein.

No owner in recent history is as popular as Harris is to Washington fans. One, he’s not Dan Snyder. Secondly, he shares the same passion as Washington fans, having grown up a fan of the team, much like Rales and Ein.

Harris continues to do all the right things, and fans can’t get enough of the new ownership group.

New Commanders minority owner Mark Ein: Harris ‘will be the best owner this town has ever seen’

Winning championships, making the Commanders a franchise that fans can be proud of and creating memories are some of the goals for Washington’s new owners.

Josh Harris is officially the new owner of the Washington Commanders. Harris was approved as Washington’s new owner at the NFL owners meetings in Minneapolis and spoke to the media after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell introduced him.

On Thursday, Harris was front and center as Washington’s majority owner and managing partner. However, Harris has plenty of minority owners.

One of those minority owners is Mark Ein. Ein is not only a successful investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist but also a sports owner himself. Ein is the owner of the Washington Kastles of World TeamTennis.

Ein’s connection to Harris goes back to their days as childhood friends. On Thursday, Ein spoke to Alex Flum of DCNewsNow about Harris and the Commanders.

“I literally remember us both wearing our Redskins jackets when we were kids,” Ein said. “He’s going to be the best owner this town has ever seen. We’re all here to support him, and we’re going to make this a franchise people are really proud of.”

How can Washington can back to its glory days?

“There’s so much that needs to happen, but you just have to look for long-term excellence, have a great organization, a strong set of values, and align everyone around them. And that’s how great things happen.”

What about the fans?

“We’re just looking forward,” Ein said. “Looking forward to creating amazing experiences and memories for our fans, winning championships, helping the community and making this the franchise that everyone can be proud of.”

Mark Ein hopes to make the Commanders beloved again

Mark Ein said some of his best childhood memories were going to RFK with his father.

Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris put together an impressive ownership group in his quest to buy the Washington Commanders. Harris thanked all of his partners in a statement Friday after he and current owner Daniel Snyder agreed to a deal to sell the franchise.

These are the known names from the Harris group’s purchase of the Commanders.

  • Mitchell Rales
  • Earvin “Magic” Johnson
  • David Blitzer
  • Mark Ein
  • Alejandro Santo Domingo
  • Lee Ainslie
  • Mitchell Morgan
  • Eric Schmidt
  • Eric Holoman
  • Michael Li
  • Andy Snyder

Each of Harris’ partners comes from a different yet extremely successful background, and many have strong local ties to the DMV.

One of those is Ein, an investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist who happens to be a lifelong friend of Harris. The pair grew up together in Montgomery County, having met in kindergarten. Ein took to Twitter to share his excitement about partnering with Harris and others.

DC businessman, philanthropist Mark Ein is one of Josh Harris’ limited partners in bid for Commanders

Ein played a key role in connecting Harris with Mitchell Rales.

Earlier this week, Mike Ozanian of Forbes gave some insight into Josh Harris’ $6.05 billion bid for the Washington Commanders.

Harris, who owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils, is a Maryland native who attended the Field School in Washington, D.C., and would own 30% of the Commanders once his bid is finalized.

D.C. businessman and philanthropist Mitchell Rales would own 12%, and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson would own 4% of the team. What about the other 54%?

The remaining percentage would be split up between 15 other minority investors, meaning the Commanders’ new ownership group, led by Harris, would consist of 18 individuals.

At a 76ers’ playoff game this week, Rales was seen sitting with Harris behind the Philadelphia bench, and another familiar face was seated with them. That would be successful businessman and philanthropist Mark Ein.

Who is Ein?

He owns the Washington Kastles, a Washington, D.C., World Team Tennis franchise, and is the executive chairman of Kastle Systems, a security firm. Over the course of his career, Ein has been a successful investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

But perhaps Ein’s most significant contribution to Harris’ bid isn’t his actual investment but his relationship with Harris. It was Ein who introduced Harris to Rales, according to Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington.

Ein and Harris are childhood friends growing up together in Maryland. They also attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania together.

Ein is also friends with Rales, making him a central figure in the Commanders’ bid.

Harris and his group sent their bid to the NFL for review. The next step will be for the NFL to send the bid back to Harris and Daniel Snyder for their signatures. At that point, all that would remain is the other NFL owners voting to approve the sale, which is viewed as a given.

With all of the franchise’s failures throughout the years, fans should be excited about the prospect of Harris and his impressive group of partners becoming the next owners of the Commanders.