On Friday, new Washington Commanders Owner and Managing Partner Josh Harris spoke at his introductory press conference before his managing partners, his employees, staff, players, coaches and fan base.
Here are some selected quotes from Harris, and here is the link to the video.
“One of my first memories was walking down East Capitol Street with the rest of the fans, going into RFK Stadium. We didn’t make the 20-year waiting list, so we didn’t have season tickets. It literally was a 20-year waiting list. Hearing the crowd and feeling the rumbling of the stadium really had an indelible mark on me as a human being. I grew up with Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer, Joe Theismann, Mark Rypien, Doug Williams, Joe Gibbs, the hogs, Darrell Green, John Riggins, and the rest of these legends and three Super Bowl championships.”
Josh Harris focused on revived fan experience, team culture in early days as Commanders ownerhttps://t.co/eT7mjYkY0A pic.twitter.com/ULIVEddQIt
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) July 21, 2023
“This franchise is a part of who I am and who I became. It’s part of my DNA. But I appreciate that it’s not just about being a fan. I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to this city to win championships, to create a positive impact on the community, and to create great experiences and memories for future fans, just like I had growing up as a kid.”
“To the Commanders fans, our promise to you is straightforward. We will work tirelessly to make you proud once again of this franchise like my family was when I grew up here. This is not going to be easy. My job is to deliver an organization that can win. It’s on me, and it’s on us up here. Our work begins today, and I’m so excited to be on this journey together with the city. Thank you all.”
From left: Josh Harris, Marjorie Harris, Ron Rivera, Mitchell Rales, David Blitzer, Magic Johnson and Mark Ein pic.twitter.com/DP83ySen1C
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) July 21, 2023
Harris then replied to a few questions from local media:
“Washington fans are passionate. I knew that because I grew up here. The reaction has been overwhelming. We’re so appreciative of how welcome we are. We also know – because we’ve done this before in Philly – that we got to deliver. So, the fans should be aware, and you should be aware that there are a lot of sleepless nights. It is an amazing day for me, but I’m stressed. So, training camp is next week, and the first game is six weeks away.”
“And in sports franchises winning is not easy. There are 31 other owners that are well-financed. They want to win. Everyone wants to win. And so that’s a lot of work, and it sort of takes a village of people supporting a group of players and a coaching staff.”
“Look, I know everyone’s impatient. We’re impatient. Believe me, I’m sweating this more than anyone else out there, but it’s going to take a little bit of time.”
“I think obviously what I’ve learned from the Sixers, the Devils and other things is that you win championships with the best people in the front office, the best coaching staff. You win by investing. You win by creating a fan experience where people want to come out and support the team. This is really hard. And you win by creating an amazing culture, which we talked about is about respect, inclusivity and diversity.”
As far as the stadium experience – long run – we would love to have a stadium where the opposing players fear to come, and our fans love to come and our players love to come and feel welcomed. That’s what I experienced at RFK. And whatever happens with the stadium, that’s the kind of stadium experience I want to create.”
“It’s about zero tolerance on ethically challenged behaviors. When you own a sports team in a city, everyone looks at what you do. It’s the old adage that my mom and dad used to say, which is, behave as if whatever you do is going to be written about on the front page of The Washington Post.”
“Our priorities are: we’ve got to get ready for football season, we’ve got to improve the existing fan experience, and we’ve got to get out in the community. We’re going look at everything and see where we are. But those are our three priorities right now.”