The momentum seems to be building toward Amazon founder Jeff Bezos being the next majority owner of the Washington Commanders, and he could buy the franchise with the help of a hip-hop icon.
Since the Washington Commanders officially began the process to sell the team, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding the potential bidders involved in a sale. One name linked to the process has been billionaire Jeff Bezos. However, there was never any clear evidence that the man worth over $117 billion dollars was seriously considering a purchase.
Related: Billionaire Jeff Bezos takes step toward purchasing Washington Commanders
However, that changed on Thursday when he reportedly hired New York-based investment firm Allen & Company to serve as advisors on a potential bid for the Commanders. Now, a new report claims he is likely the favorite to be the winning bidder if he officially gets involved in the purchasing process.
On Friday, Fox Business reported that the franchise’s majority owner Daniel Snyder has told NFL officials the starting price for a sale is $6 billion dollars. Which should eliminate several of the suitors who put in bids in December. Making Bezos the new favorite to buy the team since he is one of the few individuals who could reach that record amount for a sports team sale easily.
Jay-Z could join Jeff Bezos in a potential Washington Commanders purchase
One other fascinating nugget that comes out of the Fox Business report is who Jeff Bezos could possibly partner with on a purchase of the NFL franchise.
While the former Amazon CEO and current owner of the Washington Post can buy the team by himself, league sources told the outlet that he could add partners — while staying the majority owner — and hip-hop legend and entrepreneur Jay-Z was speculated to be a possible option.
Through his success in music and various business ventures, the rapper is reportedly worth just over a billion dollars.
Fox Business also added that Bezos could get serious competition for the Washington Commanders from the owner of media giant Bloomberg LP, Michael Bloomberg. The former mayor of New York City is reportedly worth over $76 billion.