'Dark Cloud Dan': Commanders Sale Can't Lose with Snyder Out
The Washington Commanders are under new ownership after the league's owners unanimously approved Josh Harris' $6.05 billion purchase of the franchise.
It's a long time coming for the franchise after months of limbo and obstacles to overcome. Better late than never, D.C.'s "Dark Cloud Dan'' is gone.
And with his official exit, the Commanders can finally emerge from one of the worst ownership eras in the history of American professional sports ... into sunny days ahead.
In the end, embattled Dan Snyder didn't sell to Amazon gazillionaire Jeff Bezos. Instead the Commanders are now owned by a group led by the aforementioned Harris, billionaire Mitchell Rales and NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
"I got a ring in every sport," said Magic, who has won championships as a player with the Lakers and as an owner with the Dodgers. "But I need a Super Bowl ring."
The deal likely won't be approved until the next NFL meetings, scheduled for May 22-24 in Minneapolis. But at this point - after 24 years of scandal, embarrassment and historical losing - we'd have settled Bezos, Bozo the Clown, Magic or David Blaine's form of magic over Snyder.
Dark Cloud Dan arrived in D.C. in 1999. Back then the "Redskins" were a marquee franchise only a couple years removed from a Super Bowl and moving into a sparkling new stadium.
Almost a quarter-century later, Snyder leaves in disgrace with the organization in shambles.
Under Snyder, Washington endured as many name changes as it won playoff games - two. His lousy legacy includes allegations involving Washington's workplace culture, charges of sexual harassment and financial improprieties, and investigations by Congress, the NFL and multiple state attorneys general. On the field, Washington went a dismal 164-220-2.
Snyder will walk away with $6 billion in riches, but also with one of the poorest reputations in NFL ownership history.
Thanks to Snyder, not a lot has gone right for D.C. football this millennium. But with his departure, Washington's Dark Cloud Dan is finally gone.
Cue the sun.
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