For over twenty years, the story of the Washington Commanders was frequently dominated by controversies surrounding its ownership. That narrative took a decisive turn in July 2023, when a consortium led by billionaire investor Josh Harris completed a historic acquisition of the franchise, decisively closing the turbulent chapter of the Dan Snyder era.
Who is Josh Harris? The Financial Power Behind the Commanders
Josh Harris stands as one of the wealthiest figures in the National Football League. According to the PFSN real-time tracker, his estimated net worth sits at a staggering $10.9 billion, ranking him 11th among all NFL owners in 2025. Harris amassed this fortune in the world of high finance. He was a co-founder of the private equity giant Apollo Global Management in 1990, after cutting his teeth in mergers and acquisitions. Although he stepped back from Apollo's daily operations in 2021 to launch his own firm, 26North, his financial prowess was key to orchestrating the $6.05 billion deal for the Commanders—a record sum for an American sports franchise at the time.
A Collective Vision: The Commanders' Ownership Group
While Harris is the controlling owner with final authority, he is not acting alone. The ownership group is a powerful assembly of influential figures. It includes basketball legend and entrepreneur Magic Johnson, Harris's longtime business partner David Blitzer, and local Washington-area billionaire Mitchell Rales, among other institutional investors. Harris and Blitzer also co-own Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a sports empire valued at $14.6 billion in 2025, which controls the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.
From Chaos to Credibility: On-Field and Off-Field Transformation
The sale of the team marked the end of a period marred by federal investigations and workplace scandals. In his first press conference at the team's Ashburn, Virginia headquarters on July 20, 2023, Harris explicitly stated the goal was to "restore trust with fans and the league." Since that declaration, the franchise's trajectory has visibly shifted.
The new regime's influence is evident in multiple areas:
- A complete rebuild of the front office and football operations.
- A modernized approach to team management and public engagement.
- A renewed focus on making football-first decisions.
This structured approach has not only stabilized the organisation but has also reintegrated the Washington Commanders into the national conversation as a competitive force in the NFC. For a fanbase weary of instability, the establishment of stability, structure, and credibility under Josh Harris's leadership signifies why ownership matters now more than ever before.
