Roger Goodell Praises 'Remarkable' Commanders Owner Josh Harris
The Washington Commanders have a new owner in town ... and his name is Josh Harris.
For the first time since 1999, the Commanders are under ownership of someone not named Dan Snyder.
The $6.05 billion sale was unanimously approved by all 31 other NFL owners at their meetings in Minneapolis.
After news of the sale broke, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sang Harris's praises.
"Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners. Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities," Goodell said. "The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well."
Goodell revealed that him and Harris have a history, dating back to when Harris held interest in owning the Steelers.
"I met Josh several years ago, prior to his acquisition of an interest in the Steelers and have been fortunate to get to know him better over the past few months. I know he has a commitment to winning on the field, but also to running an organization that everyone will be proud of -- and to making positive contributions in the community."
For Harris, owning a professional sports franchise is nothing new, as he has headed up the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA since 2011. (And he owns the NHL's New Jersey Devils as well.) For SI.com's Albert Breer, due to Harris' previous involvement at the highest level, there will be no great educational climb for Harris once he takes over Washington.
"Harris shouldn’t have the learning curve most NFL owners do, because he had to learn the ropes, and stub his toe a bunch, in his stewardship of the NBA’s Sixers and NHL’s Devils. He’s also got an intimate understanding of the psyche of the fan base since he was a part of it growing up in the D.C. suburbs," Breer writes.
Harris' tenure as Commanders owner begins Friday when the team will host a pep rally to celebrate the sale.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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