Commanders fans were thrilled when NFL owners voted unanimously to approve the sale of the franchise to Josh Harris Group last Thursday after 24 years of ownership under Dan and Tanya Snyder.
But in addition to fans, Washington coach Ron Rivera included himself among those who were happy to see the franchise’s change in ownership on Tuesday, saying that he can put all of his time and energy back into daily grind of the team instead of feeling like the team’s “manager”.
“It’s exciting,” Rivera said about the franchise’s new ownership, per Nick Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I’m fired up about the opportunity as we go forward. ... Now it’s about football. ... We’re going to focus in on what’s important to us, and that’s playing the game. … The last few years, I honestly felt more like a manager.”
Breer: New Commanders Owner Josh Harris Discusses the Work Ahead
Harris, who co-owns the 76ers and the Devils, assumes ownership of the Washington-based franchise along with NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and David Blitzer of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment.
Washington’s new ownership comes after the Snyders hired Bank of America to explore a possible sale in November 2022. After the sale was finally approved last week, the findings of an investigation into alleged wrongdoings by Snyder and former team employees was released. The investigation detailed allegations of workplace misconduct and financial improprieties made by former employees
With the franchise’s new ownership in place, Rivera said he is confident in the direction of where the team is headed moving forward.
“That was probably the thing that I really appreciated, was having that conversation and just hearing their commitment to trying to do the best they can to bring back to this area a sense of pride in this organization," Rivera said.
