The potential sale of the Washington Commanders appears to now be in the home stretch. Josh Harris, Tilman Fertitta and Steve Apostolopoulos are the known interested parties, with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos still lurking.
For months, it appeared that Washington owner Dan Snyder would not deal with Bezos, even blocking him from the bidding process. Snyder’s unhappiness over The Washington Post’s coverage of him and the team in recent years was believed to be his reason for keeping Bezos away from the bidding. Bezos owns The Washington Post.
Could the tide be changing?
According to Charles Gasparino of FOX Business Network, Snyder’s issues with Bezos are “overblown,” and Snyder isn’t opposed to Bezos placing a bid on the Commanders and has communicated that to Bezos’ people.
Scoop (2/2) issues has been overblown. Bezos has yet to place a bid for the team and the sale if it happens will likely occur after next weeks owners meeting, I am told. Also overblown these people say: @NFL pressure on Snyder to sell. It’s his decision for a variety of reasons
— Charles Gasparino (@CGasparino) March 23, 2023
Gasparino joined “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan Thursday and discussed Bezos.
“Absolutely not, totally overblown,” Gasparino said when discussing if Snyder’s issues with The Washington Post would prevent him from taking the check from Bezos. “He’s not going to turn down a $6.5 billion-dollar payday.”
Gasparino used the word “overblown” multiple times in discussing Snyder’s anger toward Bezos. He also said that the signal has been put out to Bezos that Snyder is open for business.
Grant Paulsen then told Gasparino that he’s talked to his sources, some of whom are close to Snyder, and they’ve been consistent that Snyder does not like Bezos.
What does Gasparino say to those people?
Gasparino said he didn’t get the information from Snyder’s side that he would sell to Bezos as some believed. He received that information from others.
It’s natural to believe that Snyder, wanting to receive more for his franchise, is now including Bezos to raise the price. After all, Bezos’ wealth far surpasses all of the other potential buyers. Gasparino said that’s not the case.
Throughout the process, many have said if Bezos did intend on buying the Commanders, or at least submitting a bid, he would come in at the last minute. As of now, Bezos has yet to submit a bid, per Gasparino.
Ultimately, for Snyder, this is all about wanting the most for the Commanders. And no alleged grudge is going to keep him from accepting a bid from Bezos if it’s the best offer. So it’s no surprise we are now hearing Bezos is indeed in the picture.
If Bezos wants the Commanders, he’ll own the Commanders if we are to trust these latest reports. The earlier reports of Snyder refusing to deal with Bezos are all likely true, too. But with the sale nearing the finish line, things change. It’s all about the money. It was always about the money, and no grudge will stand in the way of the best offer.