Harris Deal for Commanders Complicated, But Almost Done

The eight-member NFL finance committee took a look Wednesday at Josh Harris’ massive deal to purchase the Washington Commanders — one so complex it could take longer than initially expected.

But in the aftermath of the meeting, sources told Front Office Sports on Thursday that the $6.05 billion package Harris and at least a dozen limited partners put together is inching toward acceptance.

FOS reported that there were no red flags in Harris’ proposal, including any that would require a waiver to comply with debt limits or anything contained in the NFL Constitution and Bylaws. 

Granted, Commanders owner Dan Snyder and Harris haven’t officially entered into a sale agreement. As a result, the operation has progressed down a novel path, with the league reviewing Harris’ proposal as if it were a done deal. 

That review — which includes vetting the financials and backgrounds of Harris and all his limited partners — is still ongoing.

“There’s just a lot to work through,” one source said.

There was hope the review process and the finalization would be concluded by the next full ownership meeting scheduled to get underway May 22.

While a vote to approve Harris by the NFL owners appears at least somewhat questionable, a source told FOS that the tentative deal between Harris and Snyder is expected to be finalized by those meetings.