Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is interested in buying the Washington Commanders after controversial owner Dan Snyder took steps to explore the potential sale of the storied NFL franchise, reports suggest.
On Wednesday, the Commanders announced Snyder had hired Bank of America to explore the sale of the team, although it is unclear if he would sell the entire team or just add a minority partner to the mix. He has owned the Washington franchise since 1999 and the 57-year-old already has four interested buyers, according to Forbes.
Snyder bought the franchise from Jack Kent Cooke’s estate and has endured a reign littered with accusations of a toxic workplace culture, as well as the lack of success sustained by the team. The Commanders franchise is reportedly valued at roughly $5.6billion (£5bn). Snyder bought the team for approximately $800million (£716.5m) 23 years ago.
According to TMZ Sports, Bezos could partner with rap superstar Jay-Z in a bid to buy the Commanders. Jay-Z is worth an estimated $1.3bn (£1.16bn) by Forbes and could join forces with Bezos, who is one of the richest people in the world worth $114bn (£102bn).
Bezos has expressed interest in owning an NFL franchise for some time and has ties to the area. The 58-year-old owns the Washington Post newspaper.
Chelsea FC owner Todd Boehly is also reportedly in the running to bid for the team. The American owns stakes in Major League Baseball franchise Los Angeles Dodgers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
The statement released by the Commanders read: “Dan and Tanya Snyder and the Washington Commanders announced today that they have hired BofA Securities to consider potential transactions. The Snyders remain committed to the team, all of its employees and its countless fans to putting the best product on the field and continuing the work to set the gold standard for workplaces in the NFL.”
The bank has handled other notable team sales, including when Steve Ballmer purchased the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers in 2014. The Commanders - who are 4-4 in the 2022 season - are also trying to build a new stadium, which could significantly increase the value of the franchise.
Fans of the Commanders will be desperate for Snyder to sell not least because the team have been frankly terrible since he took over. The three-time Super Bowl champions have reached the playoffs just six times since 1999, and current head coach Ron Rivera is the 10th since Snyder bought the franchise.
