How Rupert Murdoch Changed Sports Media Forever
The next owner of the Washington Commanders may need some extra cash to finalize a takeover deal for the NFL franchise.
Last month, Commanders owner Dan Snyder announced he was exploring a potential sale of the team after allegations of mismanagement and workplace misconduct. A team takeover could include an extra $1 billion to cover costs associated with a new stadium, according to CBS Sports.
- The Commanders are the sixth-most-valuable NFL team at $5.6 billion, per Forbes.
- Snyder bought the team for $750 million in 1999.
- Earlier this year, he failed to secure public funding for a new $3 billion stadium.
Snyder has reportedly received offers “well north” of $7 billion that would include FedEx Field, the surrounding 264 acres, and the 150-acre team headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia.
The offers represent a significant jump from the $4.65 billion that a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton paid for the Denver Broncos in June.
Mascot Mess
The Commanders could face legal action by five former players over the use of a new mascot.
The team plans to unveil a hog as its new mascot, but the symbol was trademarked in July by O-Line Entertainment — a company formed by the original “Hogs” — Joe Jacoby, Mark May, John Riggins, Fred Dean, and Doc Walker. The late Joe Bugel, who once coached the offensive line in Washington, came up with the nickname.
The group plans to file a trademark infringement suit if the Commanders adopt the hog mascot.
