The Dan Snyder era in Washington may be on its last legs, according to Mike Florio of NBC Sports. Sources have said that the word being used to describe the sale within the facilities is “imminent,” leading some to speculate about just how soon this all may come.
Assisting in this theory is the rumor that Snyder and his wife, Tanya, have reportedly cleared out of the Commanders’ facility in anticipation of the sale. The departure occurred back in late December, a bit over a month after the couple announced they were considering a sale. The announcement was followed by the process of drawing in bidders, but despite that process, many in league circles have been skeptical that the Snyders seriously intended to sell.
This new evidence may bring a bit more validity to Snyder’s claims of consideration. That being said, there is no confirmed purchasing group at this time. As many as three different prospective buyers have toured the facility and stadium, but the organization refuses to comment on the potential sale.
Here are a few other rumors surrounding the potential sale of the Commanders:
- A committee meeting took place recently including some of the league’s owners. According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, a decision still has not been made concerning the prospect of taking a vote to remove Snyder from ownership should he refuse to sell the team. Snyder’s wife continues to represent the Commanders in league meetings, an arrangement put in place following attorney Beth Wilkinson’s investigation into Snyder and the team. There’s been no reports that she has addressed the owners, and members of the owners’ finance committee claim that they have heard no specifics on a potential transaction.
- One of the potential bidders rumored to be in the running to buy is Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Harris’s bid was recently bolstered by the addition of DC billionaire Mitchell Rales. Rales is the co-founder of the Danaher Corporation, the largest company in Washington.
Optics of throwing out one of the few female owners (effective owner as Tanya is attending league meetings) are not good. Anyone who wants to buy the Redskins better be prepared to pay Snyder’s price.
I have seen two stories this week that the owners don’t have the necessary 24 votes needed to oust Snyder – as many are worried that opening Pandora’s box may lead to their own forced departure – and the money is just too big to allow that to happen.
What percentage of NFL fans could actually name all the team owners? I suspect the vast majority don’t even care. Nobody is upset that Brittany Bowlen didn’t assume control of the Broncos. Corporate female CEOs get replaced all the time without shareholders going into a panic.