Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder reportedly "realizes that he must sell the entire franchise" after originally aiming to sell a minority stake in the NFL organization.

Liz Clarke, Roxanne Roberts, Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reported Thursday that Snyder's stance has changed in recent weeks amid an increasing debt burden and pressure to finalize plans to build a new stadium.

Snyder and his wife, co-owner Tanya Snyder, announced in early November they'd hired Bank of America Securities to "consider potential transactions" involving the franchise.

The Snyders, who've owned the Commanders since May 1999, were aiming to find a partner willing to make a financial investment, but sources told the Washington Post they're unlikely to find a buyer without giving them a guarantee to purchase controlling interest in the future.

Snyder must also repay a $450 million debt waiver given to him by the league in 2021, when he bought out the previous group of minority investors to claim 100 percent ownership of the franchise, by 2028, which is where the debt burden comes into play.

It's created a situation where a full sale, which would allow him to clear the debt, is the most likely scenario.

Forbes estimated the Commanders' worth at $5.6 billion in its 2022 team valuations, which represented a 33 percent increase from last year.

In May, the franchise purchased 200 acres of land in Virginia for $100 million as a potential site of a future $3 billion stadium project.

The stadium plans haven't been finalized or approved, however, which means a sale in the short term would allow the Snyders to avoid having to make any private investment in the project.

All of those factors combined with numerous interested parties, including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, make a full sale the most likely outcome.

The potential change in ownership comes amid a tumultuous time for the franchise.

In July 2021, the NFL fined the Commanders $10 million after an investigation detailed a toxic culture that included bullying, intimidation, multiple allegations of sexual harassment and a general lack of respect in the workplace.

Those findings led to multiple further investigations by D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine and the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Racine announced he was filing a lawsuit against the organization, Snyder, the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell on behalf of D.C. residents for "colluding to deceive" the team's fans about the workplace culture.

Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN also reported the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia opened an investigation in early November into alleged financial improprieties based on information unearthed during the Oversight Committee's investigation.

On the field, the Commanders have been one of the NFL's hottest teams with four wins in their past five games, including an upset of the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

Washington will be back in action Sunday, when it visits NRG Stadium to take on the 1-7-1 Houston Texans hoping to move its record above .500.

Taylor Heinicke helped the Washington Commanders hand the Philadelphia Eagles their first loss of the season and will get another chance to keep that momentum rolling.

Head coach Ron Rivera told reporters Heinicke will start at quarterback for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. While Carson Wentz was cleared to throw, he has not yet been designated to return to practice from a broken finger.

Rivera said Wentz will need to practice at some point before he would be the backup, adding the team will "see how it goes" before determining whether the veteran will be behind Heinicke on the depth chart against the Texans.

Even if Wentz were healthy, it's hard to argue with the decision to go with the other option.

Heinicke is 3-1 as a starter this year and has helped Washington climb back into the playoff picture following an ugly 2-4 start. He has completed 62.0 percent of his passes for 840 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions while adding another 60 yards and a score on the ground.

While the turnovers are something of a concern, he has made a number of important and timely throws when games have been hanging in the balance and has a clear chemistry with No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

McLaurin posted eight catches for 128 yards in Monday's win over the Eagles as the only Commanders player with more than three catches.

Turnovers have long been a problem for Wentz as well, who threw six interceptions in the first six games and led the league with 15 picks in just 12 games in 2020. Washington dug itself a hole in the early going of the season with the North Dakota State product under center and is just starting to climb out of it with Heinicke.

If the latter can earn another win against the Texans, it stands to reason that he will remain under center as the team looks to seize a wild-card spot in the NFC.

The Washington Commanders put an end to the Philadelphia Eagles' undefeated season with a 32-21 win at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, and it was Taylor Heinicke, not Carson Wentz, who powered Ron Rivera's squad to victory.

The Commanders now have a decision to make at quarterback. Will they stick with Wentz? Or will they turn to Heinicke, who has served as Wentz's backup for most of the season? Rivera is undecided.

The veteran head coach told reporters he'll put the team above all else when making his choice, per ESPN's John Keim:

"You look at what is best for the team and that's how it has to be. There's a great saying, 'You treat everyone the same, you treat everyone fair but you treat everyone according to the team. So the decision will be made about the team first and foremost. Whoever the starter is I will commit to them fully. I don't want them looking over their shoulder."

Heinicke completed 17-of-29 passes for 211 yards and one interception against the Eagles. It wasn't the most dazzling performance, but he got Washington the victory, something Wentz has struggled to do this year.

Wentz, who was traded to the Commanders from the Indianapolis Colts before the 2022 season, is on injured reserve and has been sidelined since suffering a broken finger in a Week 6 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

The 29-year-old struggled through the first six games of the season, completing 62.1 percent of his passes for 1,489 yards and 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. The Commanders went 2-4 with Wentz as their starter.

In the four games that Heinicke has been the starter, the Commanders are 3-1, and they evened their record to 5-5 with Sunday's win against the Eagles. The 29-year-old has completed 62 percent of his passes for 840 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 60 yards and one score.

While Heinicke has played slightly better than Wentz, he told reporters after Monday's game that he won't be disappointed if Rivera decides to stick with Wentz when he is activated off injured reserve:

"If my number is called, I'll be ready to go in. Whatever decision they want to make, let's go. If I'm backing up Carson next week, great. I'm going to help him in any way that I can to get ready for that Texans game. The biggest thing for me is let's just go win. Let's keep winning whether it means playing or not."

At 5-5, the Commanders are right on the NFC playoff bubble. They'll face the 1-7-1 Houston Texans on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Eagles' dream of an undefeated season is over.

Philadelphia lost 32-21 to the Washington Commanders in an NFC East stunner at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday. Washington improved to 5-5 and is still very much alive in the wild-card race after winning its fourth game in the last five tries.

Taylor Heinicke, Terry McLaurin and the backfield combination of Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson set the tone in the first half, while the defense closed the door with a strong showing in the second half.

The offense drew plenty of praise on social media for the effort:

SCARY TERRY 😱

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/bvcXiau0zq

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 15, 2022

Man, we playing inspiring football right now. #manyMen

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) November 15, 2022

Terry McLaurin pic.twitter.com/dI9gUV8m4u

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) November 15, 2022

Terry McLaurin is too good

— Alexa Ross (@AlexaRossTV) November 15, 2022

https://twitter.com/Cantguardmike/status/1592353532371685376

McLaurin is just abusing Darius Slay tonight

— tribjazz (@tribjazz) November 15, 2022

Terry McLaurin is such a baller.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 15, 2022

What a catch by Commanders WR Terry McLaurin. A terrific, 42-yard catch. He's got 8 catches for 128 yards so far.

The Taylor Heinicke-Terry McLaurin connection is real.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) November 15, 2022

Terry McLaurin is a star

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) November 15, 2022

What is Carson Wentz thinking rn

— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) November 15, 2022

Taylor Heinicke is BALLIN’

— Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman) November 15, 2022

Heinicke working the middle of the field like a freaking maestro. The Eagles have no answers right now.

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) November 15, 2022

Not sure how the Commanders don't stick with Heinicke.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 15, 2022

What would the @Commanders record be if they just stuck with Heinicke to start the season?

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) November 15, 2022

The Commanders must have missed the memo that they were supposed to lose without putting up a fight, as Gibson and Robinson each found the end zone with one-yard touchdown runs in the first half. Joey Slye also impressed with four field goals, including a 58-yarder to end the half, while McLaurin torched the Philadelphia secondary.

It wasn't easy, though, as Heinicke overcame multiple mistakes that nearly cost the visitors the game.

His lost fumble on a strip-sack led to the Eagles' first touchdown, and he inexplicably threw a ball up for grabs with the Commanders leading 23-21 early in the fourth quarter for a C.J. Gardner-Johnson interception.

But the defense held Jalen Hurts and Co. to seven points after the first quarter. Philadelphia turned it over four times—one of which came on a Dallas Goedert fumble on a missed facemask call—which included getting in its own way when the game was on the line.

It felt fitting that the Commanders clinched the win with a defensive touchdown, as Casey Toohill recovered a fumble as the Eagles desperately lateraled the ball on the final snap of the contest.

On Sunday, they will look to keep things rolling in a road game against the Houston Texans.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson hasn't played since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 4 against the Dallas Cowboys, but he's trending toward making a return.

Fantasy managers who may be considering trading Dotson might want to hold onto him instead. He had a solid start to the season before being sidelined, catching 12 passes for 152 yards and four touchdowns in four games.

When Dotson returns to the lineup, he figures to be one of Taylor Heinicke's top targets alongside Terry McLaurin, who is having a solid season with 38 catches for 609 yards and two touchdowns in nine games.

At Penn State, Dotson caught 52 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games as a junior in 2020 and caught 91 passes for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns during his 2021 senior season. That production helped make him the 16th pick of the 2022 draft.

Any manager looking to offload Dotson should seek good value in return.

Gabe Davis is an explosive downfield threat for Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, catching 18 passes for 451 yards and four touchdowns in seven games. He is a good buy-low candidate after recording just 68 receiving yards in his last two games combined.

Amari Cooper has put together a solid season with the Cleveland Browns, catching 39 passes for 553 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. However, he could be difficult to acquire in exchange for only Dotson. Another piece may have to be added.

Christian Kirk, meanwhile, has caught 43 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns in nine games with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He figures to see a higher target share than Dotson and thus would be a great get.

Assuming a must-accept trade offer never comes, holding onto Dotson is a reasonable choice, as he'll have plenty of value down the stretch.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. said he spoke with head coach Ron Rivera about a much-maligned team statement that referenced an attempted robbery in August that left him with two gunshot wounds.

"I told him how I felt about it and put it past me," Robinson told reporters Thursday. "I can't control that. I'm just going to continue doing what I've been doing."

The Commanders' statement used Robinson's situation to spotlight what it described as "out-of-control violent crime" in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to discredit D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine ahead of an announcement about the organization.

Robinson, a rookie who returned from his injuries to make his NFL debut on Oct. 9, said he's been trying to move on from the shooting.

"I wish it would be like that, but the reality is it will take a while for it to die all the way down," he said. "I've got to be stronger than what I'm up against. That's been the case ever since it happened. I have to continue to do that."

Racine announced Thursday he'd filed a lawsuit against the Commanders, team owner Daniel Snyder, the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell for "colluding to deceive District residents—Commanders' core fans—about an investigation into toxic workplace culture and allegations of sexual assault to maintain a strong fanbase and increase profits."

"The Commanders and Dan Snyder lied to D.C. residents about what they knew about a toxic culture of sexual harassment and then they entered into a secret agreement with the NFL and commissioner Goodell that kept the truth from D.C. residents—all in an effort to protect their profits," Racine said. "In D.C., you can't lie to consumers to enrich yourself and get away with it. That's what this lawsuit is about: standing up for D.C. residents who were deceived and misled. No one—not even Mr. Snyder—is above the law."

In July 2021, the NFL fined Washington $10 million after an investigation unearthed an internal culture that featured bullying, intimidation, multiple allegations of sexual harassment and a general lack of respect in the workplace.

Separate investigations, including the one by Racine and another by the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, were launched in the wake of the NFL's findings.

Snyder and his wife, Tanya, released a statement last week saying they'd hired Bank of America Securities to "consider potential transactions" involving the franchise, including a possible sale.

Commanders president Jason Wright told ESPN's John Keim the team's statement in response to Racine "expressed our external counsel's ongoing frustration with the Attorney General's office" but should not have included the reference to Robinson's situation.

"[The statement] should have been separate and apart from referencing the terrible crime that affected our player," he said.

Wright added he'd been in contact with D.C. Metropolitan Police chief Robert Contee to express the team's continued support of police "working to reduce gun violence and crime across the region."

Meanwhile, Robinson has recorded 226 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown across his first five NFL appearances. He's received a solid 70.8 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

The Commanders (4-5) are back in action Monday night when they visit Lincoln Financial Field for a primetime clash with the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (8-0).

Ryan Williams, the agent for Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., ripped the organization for invoking his client's name as part of a statement released Wednesday in response to D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine.

Racine's office announced earlier in the day that he will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. ET Thursday to "make a major announcement related to the Washington Commanders."

In a response criticizing Racine's decision and highlighting the "out-of-control violent crime" in D.C., the Commanders referenced Robinson being shot multiple times during an August robbery attempt.

Williams responded with a Twitter post:

Up until an hour ago, the Commanders handled the Brian Robinson situation with so much care, sincerity and class. And I was so grateful for all of it.

Although I know that there are some great humans in that building, whoever is hiding behind this statement is not one of them. https://t.co/cnD0DtUfqm

— Ryan Williams (@RyanWilliamsA1) November 10, 2022

Commanders president Jason Wright told Keim the team's statement "expressed our external counsel's ongoing frustration with the Attorney General's office, as they have been nothing but earnest and transparent in their communications with his team."

Wright added the comments "should have been separate and apart from referencing the terrible crime that affected our player" and noted he reached out to D.C. Metropolitan Police chief Robert Contee to express the team's support in their fight against gun violence.

MPD has arrested two suspects, juveniles who were 16 and 14 at the time of the Aug. 28 shooting, in connection to the case. Both teenagers have been charged with assault with intent to rob while armed.

"I was just happy they found somebody," Robinson told reporters after the first arrest last week. "I [haven't] been thinking much about it, just focusing on the season. ... There was a relief."

Robinson, a third-round pick in the 2022 draft, returned from the injuries suffered in the attack to make his NFL debut on Oct. 9. He's recorded 226 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown across his first five appearances.

Racine's office didn't provide any further details on the announcement set for Thursday, per Keim.

Meanwhile, team owners Daniel and Tanya Snyder announced last week they'd retained Bank of America Securities to "consider potential transactions" involving the club, which includes potentially selling the NFL franchise.

The Snyders have been majority owners of the Commanders since 1999.

On the field, Washington sits last in the NFC East with a 4-5 record ahead of Monday night's road game against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles (8-0).

Boston Red Sox owner John Henry and his Fenway Sports Group may be trading footy for American football.

According to Josh Kosman of the New York Post, Henry "is seen as a possible bidder for the Washington Commanders as the investing tycoon moves to sell his UK-based soccer team Liverpool."

According to that report, Fenway Sports Group "has hired Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to unload Liverpool in a deal that's expected to fetch between $4 billion and $5 billion."

🚨 EXCLUSIVE statement from a Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to @TheAthleticFC:

📝 https://t.co/hdmPKeb1ec#LFC pic.twitter.com/WNM9I5wE0N

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 7, 2022

"This may be a precursor to him buying the Commanders," a source familiar with recent NFL franchise sales told Kosman. "John wants to own an NFL team. They will look at the Commanders."

While it isn't finalized that Daniel Snyder will sell the organization, the Commanders released a statement last week that it had hired Bank of America Securities to "consider potential transactions."

That announcement came hours before a report from ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. that the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District of Virginia had commenced a criminal investigation into potential "financial improprieties."

While that investigation hasn't been confirmed publicly, it may be as soon as Thursday:

D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine will hold a news conference tomorrow afternoon “to make a major announcement related to the Washington Commanders.” No other details provided.

Racine's office has been investigating Dan Snyder and the team for months. https://t.co/nxqfuR4XkM

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 9, 2022

A Commanders spokesperson just issued this statement in light of D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine and his office scheduling a news conference "to make a major announcement related to the [team]" tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/HWYvdmzRY9

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) November 9, 2022

After multiple investigations into the team's toxic workplace, alleged sexual harassment and possible financial improprieties, the sale of the Commanders feels inevitable at this point.

For Henry, selling Liverpool could net him the chunk of capital needed to enter the bidding for the Commanders, which could hit as much as $5.6 billion, sources told Kosman. He may face stiff competition, with an ownership group comprised of Jeff Bezos, Jay-Z and Matthew McConaughey expected to enter the running.

The Washington Commanders could have a star-studded group of owners in the future.

Sara Nathan and Michael Blinn of the New York Post reported Monday that actor Matthew McConaughey will join a group that includes Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z looking to purchase the team from owner Dan Snyder.

McConaughey, who is already a co-owner of Major League Soccer's Austin FC franchise, is a longtime fan of the team

What's more, Brooklyn Nets star and Washington fan Kevin Durant could join the group as well.

"In a perfect world, I would be a part of it," Durant said. "I would love to do it. I would love to give a little bit of my money to be a part of the Commanders, but we'll see. Hopefully, it's somebody nice. I heard [Amazon CEO Jeff] Bezos and Jay-Z, but you never know."

Nathan and Blinn noted the bid is expected to come in January and could break the NFL's record for a price that was set when the Denver Broncos sold for $4.7 million last summer.

The Commanders released a statement Wednesday that suggested at least part of the team could be for sale. The Snyders retained Bank of America Securities to "consider potential transactions."

Yet Snyder has been in the news for far more than just the potential sale.

Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN reported the United States attorney's office in the Eastern District of Virginia is investigating the team for potential "financial improprieties." The investigation stemmed from a letter the House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent to the Federal Trade Commission in April, which "alleged deceptive business practices."

Washington also previously hired attorney Beth Wilkinson in 2020 to investigate the organization's workplace culture. The league took over the investigation, which ultimately ruled the team's workplace environment fostered sexual harassment, bullying and more misconduct.

While no written report was produced, the team was issued a $10 million fine and Snyder was forced to step away from day-to-day responsibilities.

Van Natta noted attorney Mary Jo White is conducting a second investigation that is looking into the team and an allegation that Snyder sexually assaulted a woman on his plane in 2009.

If Dan Snyder does sell the Washington Commanders, it won't be to Jeff Bezos, according to Peter King of NBC Sports.

"It'll never happen," a source told King. "Dan Snyder detests The Washington Post. No way he'd sell to the owner of that paper."

Dan and Tanya Snyder announced last week they will "consider potential transactions" involving the team after hiring BofA Securities. Bezos, the second-richest person in the world with a net worth of $151 billion, has become an obvious candidate to buy the organization.

A source told Charlotte Triggs and Natasha Dye of People that Bezos is "looking into buying the Washington Commanders."

TMZ added that a partnership between Bezos and Jay-Z is "on the table."

Bezos is best known as the founder of Amazon, but he purchased the Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million.

The newspaper has not been kind to Snyder during his tenure leading the Washington football team, most notably in a 2020 report revealing a culture of sexual harassment and misconduct within the organization. A second report also detailed the negative experiences of numerous female employees.

It led to an NFL investigation, which resulted in a $10 million fine and Dan Snyder being removed from day-to-day operations for a year.

Snyder is also the subject of a congressional investigation into the Commanders' toxic workplace environment.

It could be enough for Snyder to avoid selling to Bezos, even if that is the highest offer.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Washington's asking price will be about $7 billion.