The Sale of the NFL’s Washington Commanders from embattled former owner Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris was made official on Thursday, ending Snyder’s near quarter-century of drama-filled ownership in the process.
NFL owners unanimously approved the sale for a record $6.05 billion. It is a record for a major North American professional sports team. Meanwhile, the NFL announced after the transaction was made official that Snyder had been fined a whopping $60 million after an investigation into improper workplace misconduct and financial wrongoing allegations.
As the NFL rids itself of Snyder, Harris might end up doing the same thing here soon. According to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. (h/t Bleacher Report), Harris could end up changing the Commanders name at some point soon.
“I think there’s a pretty good chance of that to erase any part of the Snyder legacy to have a complete do-over. I would not be surprised at all, Rich, to see a name change and a complete re-branding,” report on Washington Commanders potential name change.
Originally the Washington Redskins, the NFL franchise changed its name to the Washington Football Team back 2020 after widespread pushback that their former name was politically incorrect and disrespectful to the indigenous American population. Last season saw Washington change its name to the Commanders.
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Josh Harris talks Washington Commanders
It’s rather obvious that Harris wants nothing to do with the Snyder era as he attempts to build a winning culture in D.C.
“From day one, it is our top priority to deliver you a championship caliber team, and we will strive every day to ensure that we are a franchise you can be proud of,” Josh Harris statement, via the Washington Commanders official website.
“To Commanders fans everywhere, our promise is simple: we will do the work, create the culture and make the investment needed to deliver for this team and for Washington.”
It remans to be seen when the Commanders will change their name should Harris come to that conclusion. It’s too late in the league calendar for a name change to take place ahead of the 2023 NFL season.
As for Harris, he joins the NFL’s elite while the billionaire still remains a part owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils.