In the realm of Washington’s professional sports, where struggles have been all too common, there has always been one figure that shielded others from being the most despised franchise owner in town: Daniel Snyder, owner of the NFL team. However, with Joshua Harris set to purchase the NFL’s Commanders and potentially receiving approval next month, a shift is imminent. It’s time to critically examine all the owners and their teams with fresh eyes, as there will no longer be a convenient scapegoat in Snyder.
This month, June 2023, marks a significant turning point for Washington’s professional sports scene. The NFL has scheduled a vote for Harris’s acquisition of the Commanders from Snyder. Additionally, the Nationals have finally received a much-needed $100 million in delayed revenue from their regional sports network, signaling a potential resolution to their ongoing dispute with the Baltimore Orioles. Furthermore, Ted Leonsis, the owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which includes the Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics, has taken steps to bring in Qatar’s sovereign investment fund as a minority partner, possibly strengthening his bid to purchase the Nationals. Amidst all this, there are ongoing conflicts between Monumental, the Nationals, and the District regarding responsibility for maintaining and upgrading Capital One Arena and Nationals Park. Leonsis is even exploring the possibility of relocating to Northern Virginia, a move that concerns some D.C. officials due to its potential impact on downtown Washington’s struggling economy. On top of it all, Mayor Muriel E. Bowser is actively pursuing the Commanders’ return to the District after a three-decade absence, adding further complexity to the situation.
As the dust settles, it becomes evident that even owners like Leonsis and the Lerners, who experienced recent successes with the Cup-winning Capitals and World Series-winning Nationals, respectively, have questions to answer. With Snyder’s imminent departure and Harris’s arrival, the spotlight will shift to them. However, their recent records speak for themselves, and they leave much to be desired.
Start with the Lerners. Are they committed or not? The Washington Post reported that Leonsis made a bid of over $2 billion for the Nationals in late 2022. Since then, Ted Lerner, the family patriarch, has passed away, leaving his heirs to make a decision regarding reinvestment in the baseball team. If they choose to move on, the focus should not be on haggling over the team’s value increase from their initial $450 million investment to $2.2 or $2.3 billion. This investment was not purely a business venture; it held civic significance. After winning the World Series, the team has been enduring four consecutive losing seasons. A rebuild is underway, requiring careful planning, foresight, and vision—none of which can be accomplished with a “For Sale” sign in front of the franchise.
This brings us to Leonsis. It would be hypocritical to condemn golfers who join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series due to concerns over human rights violations while ignoring Leonsis’s pursuit of funds from the Qatari government, which has faced similar criticism from Amnesty International. The rules of MLB, NHL, and the NBA limit the percentage of franchise ownership by entities like the Qatar Investment Authority, preventing them from exerting significant influence over decision-making. Nevertheless, Leonsis must explain the rationale behind his collaboration with Qatar. Furthermore, there are pressing questions regarding the performance of his teams. Monumental’s hiring of Michael Winger to oversee the basketball operations for the Wizards signals a significant shakeup, with key players like Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis being let go. It sets the stage for a painful season but offers hope for a franchise that has struggled for decades. Meanwhile, the Capitals, coming off their first losing season in 16 years, have hired a first-time NHL head coach, Spencer Carbery, tasked with reversing their playoff series drought while simultaneously developing young talent and supporting Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s career goals record. It’s a challenging balancing act.
There is no team in Washington that currently stands on solid ground. Previously, Washington sports fans could find solace in their shared disdain for Snyder. Now, with all the teams in transition, whether it be in terms of their rosters, stadiums, or both, the responsibility lies with ownership. Ted Leonsis, Mark Lerner, and soon Josh Harris must recognize that they are being watched closely. The fortunes of their teams rest in their hands. Good luck.
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