Commanders Notes: Snyder-Jones Relationship, Prospective Bidders, Potential Sale Timeline
The matter of a potential Commanders sale has been a talking point for months now, as the view other NFL owners take of Dan Snyder has worsened. That trend has stretched to even affect his Cowboys counterpart, Jerry Jones.
A bombshell report from October indicated that Snyder had dug up dirt on his fellow owners, as a means of providing leverage against a vote forcing him to sell his team. In the wake of that report – which the 58-year-old has denied – it was said that Jones still counted himself amongst Snyder’s supporters. That appears to still be the case, but relations between the two have changed.
“I would say we’ve had to be more formal in our conversations,” Jones said, via USA Today’s Jarrett Bell. “We’re not as cavalier as we might have been. Follow me? Don’t know who’s listening. Who’s what? So, we’ve had to be more formal.”
Jones added that Snyder is “not the most beloved guy around,” and that he wouldn’t be worth “taking a sword” for. That marks a notable stance potentially in favor of a sale, something which would likely go a long way amongst other owners, given Jones’ sway in that particular group and his reputation for supporting Snyder more than most.
Here are some other notes related to the Commanders and their hypothetical sales process:
- Josh Harris, owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and English Premier League club Crystal Palace, toured the Commanders’ facility earlier this month, per Ben Standig and Daniel Kaplan of The Athletic (subscription required). He did the same last summer as as prospective buyer of the Broncos, so this action signals his interested in becoming owner of the next NFL team to (potentially) go on the market. Around that same time, another, unnamed candidate toured the facility as well, according to the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, Nicki Jhabvala and Liz Clarke. This past Friday, another potential buyer did the same, Jhabvla tweets.
- It was reported in December that an initial bidding process took place, one which notably did not include Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. Providing clarity on that front, Standig and Kaplan note that that December process actually consisted of “non-binding indications of interest,” which do not require formal bids taking place. That is the next step, though, and is expected to take place soon. Once it happens, however, there may be a distinct lack of competition amongst prospective buyers. Lydia Moynihan of the New York Post reports that only two serious contenders remain in the running (including Harris, and not Bezos); they have each showed a willingness to reach the $6BB mark in a sales price, though liquidity would be an issue on Harris’ and the unnamed other bidder’s part at that value. One of Moynihan’s sources predicts Bezos will be courted late in the process given his significant advantage in terms of total wealth.
- Speculation has persisted in terms of when a final decision will be made with respect to a sale being green-lighted, and then finalized. On that point, Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer notes that a deal will ideally be in place by the time the NFL’s owners’ meetings take place in late March (video link). That would allow the other owners to vote on and ratify a sale, as they did in the case of the Broncos last offseason, and presumably bring an end to the saga hanging over the Commanders.
Terrell Davis Joined Josh Harris’ Ownership Group; More Fallout From Broncos Bidding
Although the Broncos went for an American sports-record $4.65 billion — to the Rob Walton-fronted group — last week, Walton’s was not the only bid that would have shattered the NFL record.
Josh Harris‘ group is believed to have bid between $4.25 billion and $4.5 billion, Mike Klis of 9News reports. Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils, was prepared to go $5 billion for the Broncos, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. But he was not assured Walton would not top that bid. That led to Harris’ group standing down, letting Walton’s bid win the historic sweepstakes. Harris is prepared to pursue ownership of another NFL team, Florio adds.
Tied to a net worth greater than $70 billion, putting him in position to be by far the NFL’s wealthiest owner, Walton had long been considered the frontrunner to acquire the AFC West franchise. Walton’s daughter (Carrie Walton Penner) and son-in-law (Greg Penner) are expected to run the day-to-day operations, Klis adds. Walton, 77, will continue to live in Arizona. Owners of the league’s other 31 teams will vote on this sale soon.
While Magic Johnson was part of Harris’ group, Klis notes Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis joined that investment team as well. Davis, 49, starred for the Broncos in the 1990s, seeing a 1999 knee injury shorten his career, and played seven seasons with the team.
“They reached out; we talked,’’ Davis said, via Klis, of his affiliation with Harris’ bid. “They said they were interested in bringing me in as part of their ownership group and they wanted to know if the feeling was mutual. And it certainly was. And then it was waiting to see what would happen. I was on standby hoping for the bid, but obviously it never came.”
Latest On Broncos Ownership Bid Process
With today’s deadline for second-round bids on the Broncos having come and gone, there are are few interesting developments regarding the ongoing sales process. Given what has already been reported on the subject, neither come as much of a surprise. 
With the four remaining groups having placed their bids this afternoon, the prospective owner seen as the favorite to ultimately take over the team is the same as it has been presumed for some time now. Troy Renck of Denver7 reports that Walmart heir Rob Walton “remains the clear frontrunner” to win the bidding process (video link). He adds that Walton’s bid “could be upwards of $4.5B”. Walton has been seen as the likeliest candidate for months, and that figure would fall in line with the expected value of the team.
Walton – who, Renck also notes would become the NFL’s all-time wealthiest owner should he be successful – is competing against three other bidders. Those groups are led by 76ers and Devils owner Josh Harris, whose party also includes Magic Johnson, the trio of soon-to-be Chelsea owners which would be led by Jose Feliciano, and brothers Mat and Justin Ishbia. Up until this second round of bidding, media mogul Byron Allen was still in the running, but only the four finalists participated today. The process could very well be complete by the end of the month.
Regardless of who becomes the next owner, they could recruit a familiar face as part of the beginning of their tenure overseeing the franchise. Mike Klis of 9News reports that all four of the finalists have spoken to Peyton Manning “to gauge his interest” in becoming a minority owner or advisor to the team. The Hall of Fame QB has previously made it clear doing so is a distinct possibility, though that was before the identities of the prospective buyers were known. Klis adds that there is “no word” on what Manning is currently planning with respect to any potential role in the new ownership group.
With another key checkpoint being reached in the sales process, the exact terms of the pending deal – and the particulars of who will be involved in the new regime – will remain worth watching for in the coming days and weeks.
Second-Round Broncos Bids Expected In Coming Days
The process of finding a new owner of the Broncos is approaching a crucial next step. 9News’ Mike Klis reports (on Twitter) that second-round bids for the franchise are due by Monday.
That places a firm deadline on the bidding process, which was expected to reach this stage in the near future. As Klis notes, four groups are expected to place a bid, with the lone exception amongst prospects previously reported as showing interest being the one led by media mogul Byron Allen. He was still considered to be in the running earlier this month, but the list of finalists would seem to no longer include his name.
That leaves the group led by Rob Walton at the top of said list; the Walmart heir has a personal value of more than $70MM, and has consistently been labelled as the frontrunner to win the bidding process. Among his competitors is the pairing of 76ers owner Josh Harris and Magic Johnson, the group involving Todd Boehly (which is in the process of purchasing English Premier League club Chelsea) and, the most recent addition to the mix, brothers Mat and Justin Ishbia.
In a follow-up, Klis details that if the group including Boehly were to be successful, he would be a “limited partner”. Instead, Jose Feliciano would be the lead owner, something which would satisfy the league’s desire for minority ownership in this process. While Klis further tweets that the trio involving Boehly, Feliciano and Behdad Eghbali would constitute surprise winners in the bidding process at this point, they remain in contention to make a second major purchase in a matter of weeks.
With the next round of bids – long expected to approach the $5B mark, which would comfortably set a new North American sports record – set to be made in the coming days, Klis reports that the sales process could be completed by late June or early July (Twitter link). That would stay in line with the overarching thought that a new owner would be in place in time for the 2022 campaign, and bring an end to one of the league’s top off-the-field storylines.
Byron Allen Still A Candidate For Broncos’ Ownership
The field is narrowing for candidates to purchase the Broncos. Among the semifinalists is the group headed by Byron Allen, per Mike Klis of 9News.
The media mogul was one of the first prospective buyers to be named as an interested party back in February. He confirmed that the NFL had approached him years earlier about the possibility of buying a franchise when the opportunity arose. Doing so successfully would make the 60-year-old the first Black owner in the league.
Klis notes that Allen is set to become the third candidate to visit the Broncos’ facility. While his personal value is dwarfed by other potential buyers, he is “backed by a handful of investors with deep pockets”, per Klis. On that point, he adds that is is presently “unclear” whether or not Allen himself would assume the duties of controlling owner in the event of his group submitting the winning bid for the team.
While Klis further states that “the number of ownership groups under consideration is fluid”, it is still believed that former Walmart chairman Rob Walton remains the favorite to win the bidding process. The other candidate which has met in-person with team executives is Josh Harris; the New Jersey Devils owner Philadelphia 76ers managing partner recently made headlines when it was announced that NBA icon Magic Johnson is joining his ownership group.
It has been known since April that the winning bid will be valued at a minimum of $4B, so Allen’s inclusion on the shortlist of potential buyers demonstrates the wherewithal of his group. With the general belief still being held that the sales process will be completed in time for the start of the 2022 season, the competition amongst the various parties to submit the highest bid (and the role the likes of John Elway and Peyton Manning could play whenever said process is complete) will be worth watching in the coming weeks.
Magic Johnson Joins Ownership Group Bidding To Buy Broncos
The Broncos have narrowed their prospective owner list to five, according to Mike Klis of 9News, who adds the first of those groups — the one fronted by New Jersey Devils owner and Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris — met with Broncos executives and bank and transaction lawyers Thursday.
Harris’ group is believed to now have a big name attached. Magic Johnson has joined the group, according to Sportico (on Twitter). This is interesting considering Johnson partners with another of the Broncos’ ownership candidates — Todd Boehly — in a consortium that owns the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The NBA icon and former Lakers president of basketball operations has a 2.3% stake in the Dodgers, making a $50MM investment. The Broncos are expected to be sold for more than $4.5 billion, which will shatter an American sports record. The NFL has sought minority representation in the next Broncos ownership group, though Harris’ contingent is not believed to be the favorites. Walmart chairman Rob Walton is believed to be the frontrunner, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes his group and Boehly’s will visit soon (Twitter link). This process remains on track to be resolved before the season, RapSheet adds.
John Elway and Peyton Manning have been mentioned as interested parties, but Klis adds neither are expected to join a group until the bidding is settled. Elway remains interested in an advisory role with the eventual owner. The former Broncos GM currently serves as a consultant to successor George Paton.
A second round of bids has not yet taken place, per Klis. The highest bid must be accepted, with the winner then needing to be approved by three quarters of NFL owners. The last NFL sale ended with David Tepper‘s Panthers acquisition being approved by a 32-0 margin. Harris, 57, is well known in NFL circles, having bought the 5% stake in the Steelers that Tepper sold upon buying the Panthers.
Chargers Sign LS Josh Harris
After spending 10 seasons in Atlanta, Josh Harris is moving on. The veteran long snapper is signing with the Chargers, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).
Harris will sign a four-year deal worth $5.6MM, including $1.92MM in guaranteed money.
The Auburn product joined the Falcons after going undrafted in the 2012 draft, and he proceeded to spend 10 seasons with the organization. He only missed five games during his decade in Atlanta. He finally got some recognition in 2021, earning a Pro Bowl nod and All-Pro recognition.
In total, Harris has appeared in 156 career games, collecting 28 tackles.
Minor NFL Transactions: 9/2/21
Here are Thursday’s minor moves, with the list being updated throughout the day:
Arizona Cardinals
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DL Jamell Garcia-Williams
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: LS Josh Harris
- Claimed (from Browns): OL Colby Gossett
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: WR Aaron Parker
Cincinnati Bengals
- Re-signed: WR Mike Thomas
- Placed on IR: DE Khalid Kareem
Houston Texans
- Placed on IR: S A.J. Moore
Indianapolis Colts
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: C Ryan Kelly, WR Zach Pascal, QB Carson Wentz
- Placed on IR: QB Sam Ehlinger (story), WR Dezmon Patmon
- Released from IR with injury settlement: TE Noah Togiai
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Asmar Bial
Los Angeles Chargers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: DT Chris Okoye, OL Tyree St. Louis
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: OL Tremayne Anchrum, LB Obo Okoronkwo
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: LB Chris Garrett
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: P Johnny Hekker
New England Patriots
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OL Marcus Martin
New York Giants
- Released from IR with injury settlement: WR Alex Bachman, DB Montre Hartage, TE Cole Hikutini
Philadelphia Eagles
- Claimed: CB Andre Chachere (from Chargers)
- Signed: DT Hassan Ridgeway
- Placed on IR: OL Jack Driscoll, TE Tyree Jackson, CB Josiah Scott
San Francisco 49ers
- Released from IR with injury settlement: LB Mychal Kendricks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: K Ryan Succop
- Placed on IR: G John Molchon
- Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Troymaine Pope
Tennessee Titans
- Released from IR with injury settlement: RB Brian Hill
Washington Football Team
- Released from IR with injury settlement: OT Rick Leonard
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/4/18
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Justin Zimmer
- Waived: S Keith Tandy
- Placed on IR: LS Josh Harris
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Jalen Tolliver, DE Vontarrius Dora
- Placed on IR: DT Olsen Pierre
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted from practice squad: DE Mike Love, CB Denzel Rice
- Placed on IR: C Russell Bodine
Denver Broncos
- Waived: OT Cyrus Kouandjio
Green Bay Packers
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Kendall Donnerson
- Placed on IR: S Ibraheim Campbell
Miami Dolphins
- Claimed off waivers from Jaguars: CB Dee Delaney
- Placed on IR: TE A.J. Derby
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: DE Damontre Moore
- Waived: DL Fadol Brown
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: RB Trey Edwards
- Placed on IR: WR Justin Hunter
Washington Redskins
- Signed: OG Zac Kerin, LB/DE Marcus Smith
- Placed on IR: OG Jonathan Cooper
Falcons Sign Josh Harris To Extension
The Falcons have locked up their long snapper for years to come. On Friday, Josh Harris signed a three-year extension that will keep him in Atlanta through the 2021 season.
[RELATED: 2019 NFL Free Agents]
Harris joined the Falcons in 2012 and has been the club’s featured long snapper in every game since except for one. The Georgia native also has seven special teams tackles to his credit.
Harris wasn’t at the top of the team’s offseason to-do list and there are several pending free agents left to be addressed. That group includes running back Tevin Coleman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, left guard Andy Levitre, backup quarterback Matt Schaub, defensive end Derrick Shelby, and defensive tackle Terrell McClain.