DC Sports

When ownership of the team changed hands earlier this month, many wondered is there was a chance the new ownership group would change the team’s name. More fuel was added to that fire when ESPN senior writer Don Van Natta Jr. stated on the Rich Eisen Show that “There’s a ‘pretty good chance’ the new ownership of the Washington Commanders will change the franchise name and have a ‘complete re-branding’ of the team.” Vegas has even released odds on the name-change happening and possibilities on what the new name could be. Now, a report from Sports Illustrated’s The Spun states that the new ownership group refers to the team as the “Redskins” when discussing their long-term plan.

ESPN’s Commanders reporter John Keim shared the following from head coach Ron Rivera on people using the term Redskins more since new ownership came in: “Well I know this, [Washington Commanders Managing Partner] Mr. [Josh] Harris and that ownership group talked extensively about bringing back the glory. And again, what Coach Gibbs did, the traditions, that alumni group of guys that are around. It’s hard to escape it. It really is. That’s just the truth of the matter. Just so everybody knows, we do that with the utmost respect for the native tribes and for the American Indian. Anytime that’s brought up. it is brought up with the utmost of respect.”

When the sale of the Commanders was finalized last week to a  group led by Montgomery County native Josh Harris, we let you know that the group will have some decisions to make regarding the future of the franchise, including a possible “complete rebranding of the team.” According to a tweet by Bleacher Report, ESPN senior writer Don Van Natta Jr. stated on the Rich Eisen Show that “There’s a ‘pretty good chance’ the new ownership of the Washington Commanders will change the franchise name and have a ‘complete re-branding’ of the team.”

Betting website BetOnline.AG has released odds on if the Commanders will change its name again and the odds on several choices for the team’s new name. They can be seen below:

Dan and Tanya Snyder have released the following statement on the sale of the Washington Commanders: “We congratulate the Harris Ownership Group on yesterday’s unanimous League approval of their purchase of the Washington Commanders. We are proud to have built the most diverse leadership group of any NFL Team, including having the highest representation of women, underrepresented groups, and the first full time black female coach in League history.

We are immensely grateful to the best fans in football, the Commanders’ faithful, for the passion and unwavering support they have shown for this team and those who represented it on and off the field. From the players who battled every week for that extra inch, to those who worked behind the scenes to enhance every facet of the organization, we thank you for your hard work, dedication and commitment to our team, fans, pursuit of excellence and most importantly, to each other.

Now that the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to the new ownership group led by Montgomery County native Josh Harris is final, the group will have some decisions to make regarding the future of the franchise, including a possible “complete rebranding of the team.”

According to a tweet by Bleacher Report (seen below), ESPN senior writer Don Van Natta Jr. stated on the Rich Eisen Show that “There’s a ‘pretty good chance’ the new ownership of the Washington Commanders will change the franchise name and have a ‘complete re-branding’ of the team.”

NFL clubs today unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders to Josh Harris and his limited partners at a special league meeting in Minneapolis. Statement from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell:

“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners. Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well. I met Josh several years ago, prior to his acquisition of an interest in the Steelers and have been fortunate to get to know him better over the past few months. I know he has a commitment to winning on the field, but also to running an organization that everyone will be proud of — and to making positive contributions.”

Future Washington Commanders owner and MoCo native Josh Harris and his sports and property management company Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment LLC (HBSE) has bought a minority equity stake in Joe Gibbs Racing, owned by  heralded former Washington head coach Joe Gibbs, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal.

According to the report, Gibbs has told people close to him that he intends to keep the team in the family and would only sell a minority stake. Gibbs will continue running Joe Gibbs Racing while receiving help from HBSE in areas like marketing and sales, plus fundinG. The racing team name will not change and Gibbs will become part owner of the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA New Jersey Devils of the NHL, pending approval by both leagues. As a part of HBSE, Gibbs would also have a minority ownership stake in the Washington Commanders once the sale is finalized.

According to NBA reporter Shams Charania, The Washington Wizards are trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, a handful of second-round picks, and multiple pick swaps.

Last year, Bradley Beal signed a 5 year / $251,019,650 contract with the Washington Wizards, including $251,019,650 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $50,203,930. In 2023-24, Beal will earn a base salary of $46,741,590, while carrying a cap hit of $46,741,590 and a dead cap value of $46,741,590 (along with a no-trade clause that will be waived for this trade). The Wizards, who recently hired new team president Michael Winger and new general manager Will Dawkins have now unloaded the contract necessary to rebuild.