Robert Kraft gives Jeff Bezos his stamp of approval as potential Washington Commanders owner

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke glowingly at the prospect of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owning the Washington Commanders with the franchise still up for sale. 

Incumbent owner Dan Snyder is reportedly holding out for $7billion, with the highest offer thus far only reaching a cool $6.3bn, which would’ve broken the record for the most expensive NFL team purchase set when the Denver Broncos were bought for $4.65bn in 2022.

Recent reports also indicate Bezos is toying with the notion of selling the Washington Post to buy the local NFL franchise. 

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft welcomed the notion of Jeff Bezos as an NFL owner

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has been continually linked to owning the Washington franchise

‘For those of us that are privileged to own NFL franchises — it’s the one thing more than anything that I believe builds community and we need good operating people in their individual towns,’ Kraft said, via FOX Business Network.

‘I think Jeff would be a great owner,’ he added.     

Last year, Snyder enlisted Bank of America Securities to explore selling all or a portion of the team, which he bought for $800million in 1999. Back in December there was reported to be a deadline for any bids for the Commanders, with the team expected to be valued in the region of $5.5-6.5bn.

However, there have been no further updates on the sale since a report that bidders were told Snyder was looking to offload at least a majority stake of the team last month, according to Front Office Sports.

Snyder is said to be unwilling to sell to Bezos, who owns The Washington Post. The outlet exposed the toxic workplace claims and detailed a previously unknown harassment claim against Snyder in 2009. Snyder denied the allegations of harassment. 

Meanwhile, Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013 for $250m but the New York Post reported last month Bezos is ‘looking to clear the way’ to get the Commanders from the embattled Snyder.   

A leaked video from a town hall meeting of Post employees, which showed a discussion on looming layoffs, raised suspicion that he could move on from the paper.

Publisher Fred Ryan was heard telling staff that layoffs will take place during the first quarter of 2023. A spokesperson for Bezos told the New York Post the Washington Post is not for sale. 

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder is holding out for $7billion for the franchise 

But last week Front Office Sports reported through sources told that Bank of America executives are ‘courting Bezos’ over the possibility of a takeover. Bezos, valued at $124bn by Forbes, is the second richest person in the United States. 

Should Snyder strike a deal to sell the team, the sale would still need to be approved by at least three-quarters of the league’s other owners.

Both Snyder and the Commanders are still being investigated by the league over accusations of sexual assault and financial malpractice within the organization. 

That probe is being conducted by Mary Jo White, the former chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, on the heels of previous investigations by the NFL and Congressional House Oversight Committee.

The team has already been fined $10m by the NFL and Snyder voluntarily seeded temporary control of the Commanders to Tanya following the first league investigation into hostile workplace and sexual harassment claims.

The newer, ongoing investigation was launched last spring to verify subsequent claims of misbehavior, including former team employee Tiffani Johnston’s allegation that Snyder grabbed her thigh at a team dinner and pressured her to get into a limousine. Snyder has denied this accusation. 

 A $7bn sale for the Commanders would break the record for most expensive team purchase

The Snyders are exploring the possibility of selling the team, to the pleasure of many fans