Jeff Bezos Hires Investment Firm To Aid With Bid For Commanders
By Mark Solway | February 25th, 2023
This week, Jeff Bezos reportedly hired the investment firm of Allen & Company to help him place a bid on the Washington Commanders. That is the same investment firm that helped the Walton-Penner group purchase the Denver Broncos last year, for $4.65 billion. They also helped David Tepper buy the Carolina Panthers in 2018.
The NFL would love for Bezos to be the one that buys Dan Snyder’s Commanders. He already has a significant connection with the league, with Amazon being the exclusive broadcaster for Thursday Night Football. Amazon made waves becoming the first streaming-only option in league history.
Deep Pockets
Bezos is currently the third richest man on the planet with an estimated worth of approximately $117 billion. He would instantly become the richest owner in all of sports. A title that currently belongs to Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer ($80.8 billion). Broncos owner Rob Walton is the NFL’s richest owner at just $59 billion.
Bezos can quite easily outbid virtually anybody.
He currently owns The Washington Post and is of course, the former CEO of Amazon.
The first round deadline for bids was just before Christmas. Despite reported interest back in November when the potential sale was announced, the Amazon tycoon did not submit an offer. It was said then, that rapper and Roc Nation founder Jay-Z was to be involved in the ownership group.
Competition
As of right now, private equity investor Josh Harris is believed to be the only other person in the running. He already owns the New Jersey Devils, the Philadelphia 76ers and Crystal Palace in England’s Premier League. He is apparently only willing to offer $5 billion for the Commanders, when Snyder is said to be asking for no less than $6 billion.
Todd Boehly reportedly pulled out of contention in January. He is the co-owner of the English Premier League’s Chelsea Football Club (as of 2022).
There have been rumors of other interested parties such as Washington Wizards and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Clearlake Capital co-founders Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano and media entrepreneur Byron Allen. However, no bids have been received from them.
Record Sale
In 2022, Forbes valued the Commanders at approximately $5.6 billion. That made them the sixth-most valuable franchise in the league.
The Dallas Cowboys topped the list at about $8 billion.
If Snyder does sell the team, it will almost certainly surpass the $4.65 billion paid for the Broncos.
That would set a new NFL record for sale price.
It might also cause the first ever “happy riot”.
Because it doesn’t matter who replaces Dan Snyder.
Fans have just had enough.
