Latest On Dan Snyder, Potential Commanders Sale

While hurdles remain to be cleared, the process of the Commanders being sold from Dan Snyder to the group led by Josh Harris continues to move forward. It includes unorthodox developments, but could reach a conclusion in the near future.

NFL officials are currently in conversation with Snyder’s representatives, as detailed by Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. The end result of those talks is expected to be a conditional acceptance of Harris’ $6.05 billion bid, which is nonexclusive and currently being vetted to resolve what are believed to be relatively minor issues.

This saga has played out much differently than the most recent team sale (Rob Walton purchasing the Broncos last summer) due to the outstanding legal troubles Snyder faces. He is still under investigation from the league, something which will produce a written report from Mary Jo White upon its conclusion, regardless of where the sales process stands at that point. Maske and Jhabvala add that White is expected to make one final attempt to speak with Snyder directly as part of her investigation.

With that – along with federal inquiries into alleged financial improprieties – hanging over Snyder, his presumed exit from the league is likely to occur in stages, per the Post. That could include approving the Harris bid while stopping short of formally ratifying it, as negotiations continue regarding Snyder’s protection from future legal action and the desire of other owners to do the same with respect to actions taken by Snyder himself.

Conflicting reports have emerged on the point of indemnification, something the league has been thought to be firmly opposed to. However, Snyder is no longer believed to specifically be seeking indemnity as part of the sales agreement (Twitter link via NBC Sports’ JP Finlay). How quickly an agreement can be reached on this front will no doubt go a long way in determining the timeline of Harris officially taking over as owner.

On that point, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently indicated, via Maske, that a sale could be finalized by the middle or end of May. The league’s finance committee is due to meet on May 10 and will review the remaining details to be worked out in the Harris bid before the next owners’ meeting 12 days later. If all goes well, that could be the point at which a ratification vote – which would require the approval of at least 24 owners – could take place.

As noted by A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, that final step should not be in doubt. The NFL is treating the Harris bid “as if it’s a done deal,” he notes, adding the final approval by the league is considered “a lock” at this point. The Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner has backing from a number of other individuals, including NBA legend Magic Johnson and was a finalist to purchase the Broncos last year.

Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos said last month that he considers himself to still be in the running against Harris, and a late-emerging development could still alter the approval process given how fluid the situation remains. It appears, though, that the spring could mark the official end of Snyder’s tenure at the helm of the Commanders.