Friday, May 29, 2026

Commanders Sale Still Not A Done Deal

  • The winning bid will likely become the most expensive U.S. pro franchise sale.
  • Ex-Duke basketball player Brian Davis also forwarded documentation on a $7B bid to the NFL.
Josh Harris
Nov 13, 2018; Camden, NJ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers managing partner Josh Harris looks on as guard Jimmy Butler speaks to the media during a press conference at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Harris’ group shared the terms of his $6.05 billion bid to purchase the Washington Commanders with the NFL in recent days, sources told Front Office Sports. 

Although Harris and Commanders owner Dan Snyder have agreed to a framework of a deal, the transaction still isn’t final, which leaves an opening for another bidder. 

Sources close to Brian Davis told FOS that the former Duke men’s basketball player also forwarded his documentation to the NFL in an effort to bolster his mysterious $7 billion bid. 

Bank of America — the firm handling the sale on Snyder’s behalf — hasn’t commented on Davis’ bid or much else since Snyder put the franchise on the market in November. 

If successful, Davis would be the first Black controlling owner in NFL history. 

Sources told FOS that the funding appears to have originated from the Middle East, although there are still those with firsthand knowledge of the process who aren’t taking Davis’ bid all that seriously. 

“It must be a typo,” one source quipped to FOS. “They probably meant $7,000.”

The NFL’s full vetting process doesn’t begin until a winning bidder is selected and the application — which must be accompanied by a certified check for $25,000 — is sent to the league office. That kickstarts a review of the bidding group that typically takes more than a month before an ownership vote is scheduled. 

A three-fourths vote (at least 24 owners) is required for approval. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

December 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates a first down against the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

George Kittle Shares 2 Changes NFL Should Make for 18th Game

Kittle believes an 18th game should come with new benefits for players.

Bucs Stadium Push Could Complicate Rays Ballpark Deal

The neighboring MLB and NFL teams might battle for the same tax funds.

Bears Stadium Saga Now Tied to Potential $1.5B Tax Break

The local politics around the proposed stadium remain difficult.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Supreme Court Won’t Tackle Arbitration Issue in Flores Case

The decision means Flores’s racial discrimination lawsuit can proceed to trial.

Featured Today

Frances Cabral-Delaney

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium
May 28, 2026

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
April 23, 2026

Want to Own a 100-Year-Old Austrian Soccer Team for $500?

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of LA28, during the media conference celebrating the 1000-day countdown to LA28 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.
May 8, 2026

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
April 16, 2026

How Taylor Swift’s Catalog Led Her Former Label Boss Into Sports

Scott Borchetta profited greatly from the sale of Swift’s masters.
John and Louis Antonelli
exclusive
April 13, 2026

Chernin Group Leads Funding Round in Social Box Score App ‘Real’

The app combines live stats and play-by-play with a social media experience.
Jack Nicklaus speaks to media prior to the start of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio on May 27, 2025.
March 27, 2026

Jack Nicklaus Re-Acquires Nicklaus Companies After Lawsuit

Nicklaus takes back ownership of marks like the iconic Golden Bear.
Team WNBA guard Caitlin Clark dribbles up the court against Team USA during the WNBA All-Star Game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on July 20, 2024.
February 3, 2026

Fund Backing Women’s Sports Raises $250M and Counting

Jason Wright oversees a fund that has secured $250 million.