The record-breaking $6.05 billion sale of the NFL’s Washington Commanders from embattled owner Daniel Snyder to a group headed by Josh Harris has been unanimously approved by the league’s 31 other owners.
Roger Goodell and the NFL confirmed the approval late Thursday afternoon.
“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners. Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well,” Roger Goodell said on the Washington Commanders sale.
I met Josh several years ago, prior to his acquisition of an interest in the Steelers and have been fortunate to get to know him better over the past few months. I know he has a commitment to winning on the field, but also to running an organization that everyone will be proud of — and to making positive contributions in the community.”
It was earlier in the week that the NFL Finance Committee recommended approval of the sale from Snyder to Harris. This represents the largest purchase of a sports team in North American professional sports history. And it has been a long time coming.
Harris is currently involved in ownership groups with the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s New Jersey Devils. He is joined in the Washington Commanders ownership group by the likes of billionaire Mitchell Rales and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, among others.
Related: Former Washington Commanders head coach sums up Dan Snyder’s managerial skills in 1 word: ‘Assinine’
Outgoing Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder fined $60 million
As for Daniel Snyder, his long tenure as the Commanders’ owner now officially comes to an end. He originally purchased the NFL team for $800 million back in 1999. Since then, drama and a lack of on-field success has followed the Commanders.
This includes investigations into widespread workplace misconduct within the organization as well as financial wrongdoings. Hence, why other NFL owners approved the sale unanimously.
As such, the NFL announced the findings of an investigation into Mr. Synder and the Commanders for workplace misconduct. The league fined the outgoing owner a whopping $60 million.
“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL,” Commissioner Goodell said in a statement. “We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is in appropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values.
This comes after former Commanders cheerleader Tiffani Johnston testified in the House Oversight Committee investigation into workplace misconduct allegations. The findings showed that Mr. Snyder himself engaged in inappropriate conduct involving the former cheerleader. Read the report here.
The investigation also found that the Commanders withheld $11 million in revenue that should have been shared with other teams. That was part of a broader investigation into financial wrongdoings on the part of Snyder and Co.
It’s no surprise that the findings were made public after the sale of the Washington Commanders from Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris was finalized. For the league, this ends a dark chapter in its history.