Wednesday, May 13, 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

Netflix Deepens Its NFL Ties With Expanded Five-Game Package

The streaming giant significantly increased its presence with the league.
opinion

NFL Should Release Audio on Crucial Replay Decisions

The ACC let viewers in the replay booth last fall.
TNT Sports

WBD Leans Further Into Sports With Paramount Deal Looming

The TNT Sports parent company pushes ahead with its own programming plans.
Apex, NC - February 15, 2026: Portrait of the Super Bowl LXI 61 Football.

ESPN Wants Its First Super Bowl to Be the Most-Watched Ever

Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl LIX holds the current record.

Featured Today

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze (11) reacts to his goal against the CF Montréal in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit
May 7, 2026

How Atlanta Unexpectedly Became the Epicenter of U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is opening a new national HQ in Georgia.
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.

Wasserman Buyers Narrow as PE Conflicts Sideline Major Firms

Private-equity firm TA Associates has removed itself from the running.
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.
April 23, 2026

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

Vestible’s first team is Kapfenberger SV 1919.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
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.
January 28, 2026

CVC’s New Sports Business Buys Into $300M Equestrian Company

Global Sport Group bought a controlling stake in Equine Network.