Deals
Washington Commanders Sale Cements High Finance’s Status in NFL’s Inner Circle
- Private equity titan vows to transform a struggling franchise
- Football following other sports in opening up to financiers
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Dressed in the gray suit of a private equity boss, but with a rose-tinted button-down shirt and a Washington Commanders lapel pin, Josh Harris said everything a new sports team owner is expected to say.
At a press conference following the approval of his $6 billion takeover of the National Football League franchise, Harris talked about growing up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, rooting for the once-mighty team. He promised to change the culture of an organization shadowed by allegations of harassment. He said he had a responsibility to a community that celebrated three Super Bowl titles in decades past — but hadn’t witnessed a playoff victory in 17 years.