Getty Image / Scott Taetsch
Thankfully, for most Commanders fans, the Washington Commanders are for sale after over two decades of losing and embarrassment under current owner Dan Snyder.
The scandals in Snyder’s tenure are too many to rehash here, but the cliff notes would include things like alleged workplace harassment, alleged financial improprieties, resistance to changing the team’s former racist nickname, and inflammatory comments on the issue.
But, the Commanders are still a franchise located in one of the nation’s largest media markets with real history and a dedicated fan base. Yes, Fed Ex Field is decrepit, but there appears to be momentum for getting a new stadium built, as long as Dan Snyder isn’t the person building it. And, since he’s selling the team, he won’t be.
Many have linked the Commanders sale with Amazon founder and owner of the Washington Post, Jeff Bezos. But, it appears that Bezos is not bidding, and a new contender has come to the front.
Jeff Bezos is out (he apparently was never in), but Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is apparently in the mix to buy the Commanders. https://t.co/0NLWLiAqqI
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 26, 2023
Fertitta, who is worth around $7 billion, made his money mostly in connection with the hospitality industry, namely through his investment in Landry’s, which also controls a lot of restaurants and casinos such as Bubba Gump Shrimp, Rainforest Cafe, and Golden Nugget Casino.
Here are some more details, courtesy of the above PFT article.
Jeff Bezos is out, even if he was never in. Another potential bidder for the Commanders is now in.
According to the Washington Post , Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta “ is involved in the bidding” for the D.C. football team.
Fertitta’s bid landed at an estimated $5.5 billion, per the report, and he’s not considered to be a frontrunner.
He’s apparently the other previously unnamed bidder who has visited the team’s facility, along with Josh Harris.
It’s going to be wild to see who ends up buying the Commanders.