Magic Johnson is joining billionaire NBA and NHL team owner Josh Harris’ bid to purchase the NFL’s Washington Commanders, Sportico reported Monday.
Harris also welcomed Johnson into the fold last season when he made an unsuccessful bid to buy the Denver Broncos.
Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, long embroiled in several controversies and accusations of an abusive work environment and financial improprieties, is looking to fetch $7 billion in a potential sale of the team, Front Office Sports reported last month.
Johnson, the 63-year-old NBA legend and former Los Angeles Lakers part-owner, is a member of the ownership group of the Los Angeles Dodgers and is said to bring “both money and expertise” to the table for Harris’ bid.
ESPN reported this month that Washington, D.C., billionaire Mitchell Rales joined Harris’ bid as well.
Harris is the principal owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils and is the general partner of Crystal Palace of the English Premier League in soccer. Rales is the founder of Danaher Corp.
Snyder reportedly has barred Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos from placing a bid on the Commanders. That could clear a path for Harris’ group of investors.
Harris lost out to Walmart heir S. Robson “Rob” Walton, like Bezos one of the richest people in the world, in the race to buy the Broncos last year.
–Field Level Media