PHOENIX — Josh Harris’ group is the “only” serious contender currently in the mix to purchase the Washington Commanders.
Harris’ bid of nearly $6 billion is the only offer made so far that is backed with the financial resources needed to get through the NFL’s vetting process, a source with knowledge of the process told Front Office Sports.
“Harris is the only bidder with a chance,” the source said.
A Harris spokesperson declined to comment.
Earlier Tuesday, FOS reported issues over a $6 billion bid reportedly made by Canadian real estate executive Steve Apostolopoulos.
The lone remaining x-factor is whether Jeff Bezos will enter the process. There have been no indications that the Amazon founder has made a bid for the Commanders.
Beyond Harris and Apostolopoulos, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta also showed interest in acquiring the Commanders.
Harris, who owns the Philadelphia 76ers, and New Jersey Devils, was in pursuit of the Denver Broncos a year ago before Walmart heir Sam Walton won out. Walton paid $4.65 billion for the Broncos, a deal that sailed through with a unanimous vote by NFL owners last August.
Harris toured the team’s suburban Virginia headquarters before last month’s Super Bowl and bolstered his bidding chances afterward.
Earlier this month, industrial firm co-founder Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Magic Johnson were added to Harris’ group. They have a combined estimated net worth of about $12 billion.
In November, the Commanders announced they were “exploring all options,” including a full sale of the team Snyder purchased for $800 million in 1999.
The process, especially in recent weeks, has been clouded in secrecy.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said after the league’s annual meeting Tuesday that the sale was discussed by owners behind closed doors but didn’t offer any details.
Goodell said there was an update on the outside NFL investigation led by former SEC chief Mary Jo White. The probe began more than a year ago, looking into a harassment claim against Snyder and allegations of financial irregularities.
Goodell reiterated that White’s report would be released after her investigation.
Before Goodell’s news conference that closed out the annual meeting, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he favored making the White report public whether Snyder chooses to sell the team or not.
“Yes, because I know everything in the report,” Jones said.
Goodell said, “that would be impossible.”
