Fans watch because the Washington Commanders face the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL soccer recreation on Sept. 11, 2022, in Landover, Md.

Nick Wass/AP

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Nick Wass/AP

Fans watch because the Washington Commanders face the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL soccer recreation on Sept. 11, 2022, in Landover, Md.

Nick Wass/AP

ASHBURN, Va. — A gaggle led by Josh Harris that features Magic Johnson has agreed to purchase the NFL’s Washington Commanders from longtime proprietor Dan Snyder and his household.

The sides introduced the deal in a joint assertion Friday, roughly a month after they reached an settlement in precept on the sale for a document $6.05 billion.

The deal is the most important for a North American skilled sports activities franchise, surpassing the $4.55 billion Walmart inheritor Robert Walton paid for the Denver Broncos final yr. It continues to be pending approval of three-quarters of householders and different customary closing circumstances.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement for the sale of the Commanders franchise with Josh Harris, an area native, and his impressive group of partners,” Snyder and his spouse, Tanya, stated within the assertion. “We look forward to the prompt completion of this transaction and to rooting for Josh and the team in the coming years.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated league employees and its finance committee will overview particulars of the proposed transaction. Owners meet later this month in Minnesota, however they’re solely anticipated to get an replace on the scenario then, with a proper vote anticipated within the coming months.

Snyder has owned the staff since 1999, when he purchased his favourite boyhood staff for $750 million, and regardless of mounting criticism repeatedly stated he’d by no means promote. That modified after a number of investigations by the league and Congress into Washington’s office misconduct and potential monetary improprieties. The congressional investigation discovered Snyder performed a task in a poisonous tradition.

Harris’ group consists of Washington-area billionaire Mitchell Rales, the basketball Hall of Famer Johnson and David Blitzer, amongst others. Harris and Blitzer have owned the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers since 2011 and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils since 2013.

“I could not be more excited to be a partner in the proposed new ownership group for the Washington Commanders,” Johnson tweeted. “Josh Harris has assembled an amazing group who share a commitment to not only doing great things on the field but to making a real impact in the (Washington-area) community. I’m so excited to get to work on executing our vision for the Commanders and our loyal fanbase.”

Harris grew up within the Washington suburb of Chevy Chase, Maryland. He stated he acquired to expertise the joy of the staff successful three Super Bowls and establishing a long-term tradition of success.

“We look forward to the formal approval of our ownership by the NFL in the months ahead and to having the honor to serve as responsible and accountable stewards of the Commanders franchise moving forward,” Harris stated. “We look forward to running a world-class organization and making significant investments on and off the field to achieve excellence and have a lasting and positive impact on the community.”

The new homeowners’ first main process for the long-term way forward for the group is a brand new stadium to interchange FedEx Field, the rushed-to-completion house of the staff since 1997 in Landover, Maryland, that has not aged effectively. Virginia deserted a stadium invoice final yr amid a variety of off-field controversies swirling across the staff, although prospects exist to construct there, in Maryland or the District of Columbia on the web site of the staff’s former house, RFK Stadium.

Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs, who led Washington to its three Super Bowl titles, stated he has gotten to know Harris and his management staff and totally helps the possession group.

“The NFL has grown a great deal since my time as a coach in this league, but what hasn’t changed is my belief that with great leadership from the top, the drive to win on the field and a commitment to culture — championship teams are created,” Gibbs stated in a press release despatched to The Associated Press. “Josh and his team share these values and I am committed to doing what I can to reconnect this great franchise to the community, fanbase and alumni.”