NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson for a record $6.05 billion I All 32 team owners voted for the sale, which is the highest price paid for a professional sports team
Friday 21 July 2023 08:46, UK
NFL owners have unanimously approved the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders franchise to a group to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed though reports in April said the agreement was for an NFL-record price of $6.05bn.
The group led by Harris, who is a managing general partner at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), includes Maryland businessman Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson, who won five NBA titles during a Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
"Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
"Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. 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."
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones beamed as he walked off an escalator and headed toward the meeting room, granting a brief interview with reporters about the impending sale of his team's division rival.
"It's a hallmark day," Jones said. "I'm excited about the prospects of going into Washington and giving them some capital punishment."
Separately, the NFL also released the findings of the independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties made by former employees of the Commanders.
Due to the findings, outgoing owner Dan Snyder will pay $60m to the league "in resolution of the findings and all outstanding matters."
Tiffani Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing manager for the Commanders, told members of a House Oversight Committee that Snyder made sexual advances on her. Snyder has denied Johnston's claims, calling them "outright lies".
The NFL released a 23-page report that detailed the findings of the investigation which accepted the claim that Snyder, without consent, put his hand on Johnston's thigh under a restaurant table at a work-related dinner.
Investigators also concluded that Johnston's allegation that Snyder pushed her towards the back seat of his car in an effort to have her join him after the dinner is sustained.
According to the report, investigators spoke with Johnston several times and found her to be "highly credible" and added that her account of the dinner incident was corroborated by other witnesses.
The investigators also concluded that the Commanders withheld about $11m in revenue, and possibly more, that should have been shared with other NFL teams.
The report said it was unable to determine the total amount of improperly shielded revenues as Snyder failed to fully cooperate with the investigation.
NFL commissioner Goodell said: "We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL's values."
