Is NBA icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson making it big in the NFL?
As reported by the Washington Post, among others, a group led by Johnson and investor Josh Harris has submitted a multi-billion dollar bid for the embattled NFL club Washington Commanders.
Also reported ESPNthat the Harris-Johnson Group is willing to pay the $6 billion allegedly demanded by Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
Harris, 58, already owns the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA and co-owns the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. He is also general partner of Crystal Palace football club in the English Premier League.
Lakers legend Johnson – also president of the NBA record champion between 2017 and 2019 – has also been busy with sports team investments for many years: in 2012 he was part of an investor group that bought the MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson also co-owns the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and the Los Angeles Football Team of Major League Soccer. (It’s not just Michael Jordan who’s filthy rich: That’s what became of the 1992 Dream Team)
In addition to Johnson and Harris, Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos is said to have made an offer for the Commanders. Selling a franchise requires 75 percent approval from the other 31 NFL clubs.
Businessman Snyder, who has owned the Commanders (formerly Washington Redskins) since 1999, has been criticized for his work for years. In July 2021, an investigation triggered by media revelations revealed that bullying and sexual harassment were part of the company’s work culture were the order of the day, the NFL imposed a $10 million fine.
A survey by the NFLPA union this year also found that the commanders are also the least popular employer among players.
With Sports Information Service (SID)
