The NFL’s Washington Commanders franchise is on the auction block after a rift between team owner Dan Snyder and the rest of the league’s ownership became too much to handle last year. While some reports indicated that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos would be putting in a bid for the team, it now appears that Snyder blocked him from doing so.
According to Breitbart, Snyder, the team’s current owner, reportedly banned Bezos from entering the private auction. Bezos, worth well north of $100 million, would immediately become the wealthiest owner in the league. Also, according to Breitbart, Bezos began working with investment firm Allen & Company, which specializes in buying and selling sports franchises, last week.
According to the New York Post, Snyders asking price of $6 billion was not met during the auction, which could signal that he will continue his tenure as owner of the Washington Commanders into next season. The New York Post said:
“An unidentified bidder came in with an offer of around $5.5 billion by this week’s deadline, which was similar to the amount offered by 76ers and Devils owner Josh Harris, sources close to the situation said.”
The same New York Post article also indicates that there may be a personal reason for Snyder barring Bezos from participating in the auction. Snyder believes that the Washington Post, owned by Bezos, was the main culprit responsible for negative stories and allegations released about the team in 2020. Those allegations eventually led Snyder to where he is now, being all but forced out of the league. The New York Post said:
“As The Post previously reported, Snyder holds a grudge against Bezos, who owns the Washington Post, which published a series of exposes alleging Snyder enabled sex harassment at the maligned NFL franchise.
“The reports led to the NFL putting pressure on Snyder to sell the team. But now that Snyder didn’t get his asking price, he may decide to maintain his grip on Washington, which he bought for a then-record $800 million in 1999.
“‘He’s an ass and he may not want to give it up,’ a source closely watching the sale said.”
This all comes as a congressional investigation is being levied on the Snyder family due to its running of the Washington Commanders. The NFL released a statement back in 2020 addressing these allegations and the ongoing investigation, saying the following:
“Based on Wilkinson’s review, the Commissioner concluded that for many years the workplace environment at the Washington Football Team, both generally and particularly for women, was highly unprofessional. Bullying and intimidation frequently took place and many described the culture as one of fear, and numerous female employees reported having experienced sexual harassment and a general lack of respect in the workplace.”
It is yet to be seen whether Bezos will be able to purchase the team, should he choose to do so, but it is looking like a forgone conclusion that the Washington Commanders will be sold in the near future. It seems, and many outlets have confirmed, that the rest of the NFL ownership wants Snyder gone, as he brings too much negative attention to the league.
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