The long-anticipated sale of the Commanders finally came to fruition on Friday after co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder announced a group led by 76ers and Devils owner co-owner Josh Harris has agreed to purchase the team.
Friday’s news marked the official end of the Snyders’ turbulent 24-year ownership tenure, which has been shrouded over the last few years by an explosive investigation over allegations and reports detailing years of workplace misconduct within the organization. But, with the dawn of a new era now on the horizon, many people around the NFL world took to social media to rejoice over the Commanders moving on to new ownership.
Legendary former Washington coach Joe Gibbs was among those to weigh in on the stunning news shortly after it was announced. The three-time Super Bowl winner and two-time Coach of the year issued a statement expressing his optimism about the team’s future and offered a ringing endorsement for new co-owner Harris.
“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Josh Harris and the leadership team during this process and fully support his efforts to lead the new ownership group of the Commanders,” the statement read, via NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “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.
“Josh and his team share these values and I am committed to doing what I can to re-connect this great franchise to the community, fanbase, and alumni.”
Joe Gibbs weighs in https://t.co/h9t9mfyCUa pic.twitter.com/VbzF4x0CCf
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 12, 2023
As the news of the Commanders sale continued to circulate, Gibbs’s sentiments were echoed by others on social media, including former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III, and ESPN personality and noted Washington sports fan Scott Van Pelt. Check below for a compilation of reactions to Friday’s announcement:
https://t.co/MjB42Fz6Ex pic.twitter.com/JkYHwmVDUW
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 12, 2023
Hard to overstate how well received the news of the sale of the Commanders will be in the DC area.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) May 12, 2023
List of priorities for the new owner in no particular order:
Build at RFK site.
Ditch Commanders name and look.
Go back to Burgundy and Gold - Call it Football Club - whatever.…
It's really happening.
— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) May 12, 2023
The grip of Daniel Snyder (no longer Mr. Snyder to me and you) is being taken off the Commanders' steering wheel.
Team is announcing sale, subject to owner approval (pro forma).
Friend and family in the DC are seeing this as a liberation day, it's here.
Well here we go!!!! #Commanders https://t.co/4Mk2YBbBsK
— Chick Hernandez (@MrChickSports) May 12, 2023
"Hey Siri — play 'Hallelujah Chorus' from Handel's Messiah." https://t.co/vw0VZTDz4t
— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) May 12, 2023
HOLY COW... IT'S REAL AND IT'S SPECTACULAR! https://t.co/KQGMZ40Aoi
— Tim Donnelly (@DonnellySports) May 12, 2023
very happy for a lot of friends back home
— Clinton Yates (@clintonyates) May 12, 2023
Commanders sale to Josh Harris is a done deal (pending approval by NFL owners, but, that seems to be a formality)
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) May 12, 2023
This effectively makes it official - Dan Snyder is no longer the owner.
As a result, most of my family back in the DMV will likely be popping corks tonight. https://t.co/PPy97MyhkT
