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NFL owners unanimously voted Thursday to ratify the sale of the Washington Commanders, formally welcoming Josh Harris to their ranks while bidding farewell to his controversial predecessor, Daniel Snyder.
The long-awaited vote at a Minnesota hotel came hours after the league’s finance committee endorsed the sale-and-purchase agreement, which was first publicly announced in May. League bylaws required that at least 24 of 32 owners approve the deal.
Shortly after the sale was approved, the NFL said in a statement that it was fining Snyder $60 million following an investigation by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White substantiated claims that he sexually harassed a former employee and that the team deliberately underreported revenues to the league.
While the financial terms have not been announced, multiple news outlets – including USA TODAY Sports – have reported it is worth $6.05 billion, the largest price tag ever for a North American sports team.
“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners. Josh will be a great addition to the NFL,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “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.
The owners’ approval had long been expected, though The Washington Post reported that there were legal issues that needed to be worked through following the May announcement. The newspaper reported Monday that the NFL and Snyder reached an unspecified resolution on those issues in recent weeks.
Thursday’s news ensures the Commanders will have new ownership as they embark on a new season, with the start of training camp slated for next Tuesday.
It also marks the formal end of Snyder’s reign in Washington, which spanned 24 seasons and featured multiple controversies and scandals – including a string of investigations related to allegations of sexual harassment, financial impropriety a toxic workplace culture within the team.
One of those probes, commissioned by the NFL and led by Mary Jo White, is examining allegations from a former team employee that Snyder made unwanted “sexual advances” toward her at a team function, which he denies. That investigation is ongoing, and the league has promised to release a written report detailing its findings. It is unclear when the NFL will release that report, or whether Snyder’s sale of the team will alter that timeline.
The incoming ownership group is led by Harris, 58, who now owns teams in three of the four major American sports leagues, including the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. The Maryland native serves as the public front of a group that also features more than a dozen minority partners, including billionaire Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Magic Johnson.
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.
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