Jeff Bezos’ unsuccessful attempt to acquire the Washington Commanders took a new twist with recent insights from the Financial Times.
Initially, it was widely speculated that the former Washington owner, Dan Snyder, had deliberately prevented Bezos from participating in the bidding process due to personal animosities between the two.
Reports suggested that Snyder’s grudge against the Amazon founder might have influenced his decisions during the sale.
However, this narrative has been complicated by newer revelations indicating that the real reason Bezos did not secure ownership of the Commanders was more straightforward than previously thought. According to a detailed report from the Financial Times, which examined Bezos’ various business endeavors in Washington, the 60-year-old billionaire was not so much blocked as simply outbid by another party.
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Investor Josh Harris, known for owning sports franchises such as the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, led a consortium that successfully purchased the Commanders. Harris’s group finalized the acquisition for a record $6.05 billion, the highest sum ever paid for an American professional sports team.
This outbid underscored the intense competition and high stakes involved in the ownership of major NFL teams.
A source close to the dealings shared with the Financial Times, “I don’t think Snyder would have not sold to them if Jeff came in with a bid of $7 [billion].” This comment suggests that while interpersonal dynamics might play a role, the ultimate decision likely hinged more on the financial aspects of the offers presented.
Before this bid, Harris had also shown interest in expanding his sports portfolio by participating in the auction for the Denver Broncos. However, he was outbid by Walmart heirs Rob Walton and Greg Penner, indicating his ongoing interest in adding an NFL franchise to his collection.
As for Bezos, the setback in acquiring the Commanders doesn’t seem to have dampened his enthusiasm for owning an NFL team.
Given his vast resources and interest in sports, it remains entirely plausible that Bezos might consider future opportunities to purchase another NFL franchise if the chance arises.
His initial foray into sports franchise ownership may have been thwarted, but the prospect of Jeff Bezos becoming a significant figure in the NFL landscape continues to loom as a possibility.
