Jeff Bezos Positioned to Buy Washington Commanders for $6 Billion

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder alerted NFL officials about his asking price of $6 billion for the team. This move will greatly limit the number and position bidders, FOX Business has learned.
  
According to sources familiar with his thinking Bezos may be interested in purchasing the team. He has also hired investment bankers to look into a potential bid. These people claim that he is wanted by the NFL because he would be able to meet Snyder’s price requirements and comply with league rules, which require team owners to hold 30% equity. Bezos, who is worth $120 billion and has a large portion of that in Amazon stock, is one of the richest men in the world.
 
Bezos representative didn’t reply to my email. Redskins and NFL press officials did not respond immediately to our request for comment.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder prior to a game between New York Giants, Washington Redskins, East Rutherford NJ on September 29, 2019. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images/Getty Images

Josh Harris, cofounder of Apollo Global, is another potential bidder for the legendary franchise. Harris now runs Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment. Harris Blitzer, who owns sports properties such the Philadelphia 76ers is worth $6.2 million. However, it is not clear that he has enough capital to enter a bidding battle with someone with Bezos’ immense wealth.
 
Bezos, the former CEO of Amazon, resigned in 2021. He is still the executive chair of the on-line retailer. Amazon Prime recently launched sports programming including Thursday night football. His ex-TV anchor girlfriend Lauren Sanchez is also a huge football fan. They have a son together with Tony Gonzalez, the NFL’s great. [
 
Bezos also holds the Washington Post newspaper. But, he is becoming increasingly wary of this business due to its losses and slump in digital advertising as the economy slows. According to some NFL sources, Bezos plans to sell Washington Post in order to focus his attention on the Commanders. They say Michael Bloomberg, a former New York City mayor and philanthropist, is a potential buyer. Bloomberg LP, a financial and media information company, is also a potential buyer.

FEBRUARY 02, 2018 LANDOVER MARYLAND. A close-up view of the Washington Commanders’ uniforms following the name change of the Washington Football Team to the Washington Commanders of FedExField. This was in Landover Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images/Getty Images

 Bloomberg’s rep did not respond immediately.

According to league sources, Bezos could be able to bring in partners while still being the principal owner of the team and continue to lead it. Jay-Z, a well-known rapper and entrepreneur, has been mentioned in NFL circles. Jay-Z’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to our inquiries.
 
Snyder is under great pressure to sell his team following allegations and an investigation by the league into the toxic work environment of the Commanders. He has been relieved of some of the daily management responsibilities and has named his wife Tanya co-CEO.

American billionaire businessman Jeff Bezos arrives at the UK diplomatic residence, New York City, New York City, U.S.A, September 20, 2021, for his meeting with Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister. REUTERS Michael M. Santiago/Pool (Michael M. Santiago/Pool via REUTERS / Reuters Photos

 Snyder told league officials that his asking price is high. He bought the team for an unprecedented $800 million in 1999 and is now seeking at least $6 billion. The league officials have been carefully reviewing the potential buyers. They realize that Snyder’s price demands are significantly reducing the number of possible bidders to possibly just Bezos. Given the way the NFL teams are rated, Bezos would increase the value of all league franchises if he meets Synder’s high standards.
 
“Snyder wants at least $6 billion. That means to meet the league equity, you need $2 billion in cash,” According to one sports executive with direct knowledge about the process. “Who has that type of dough laying around but Jeff Bezos?”