The Washington Commanders are attracting two of Hollywood’s heavy hitters after Dan Snyder’s potential interest in selling the team.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and rap mogul Jay-Z are reportedly interested in forming a partnership to purchase the team, according to TMZ Sports.
On Wednesday, the Commanders issued a statement announcing that Snyder and his wife Tanya hired Bank of America Securities “to consider potential transactions” for the franchise. However, Snyder has not yet made a final decision about selling all or part of the team, which is valued at $5.6 billion.
Bezos — who has a net worth of $114 billion — has ties to the area, as he owns the Washington Post newspaper. Additionally, Amazon’s Prime Video is in the first season of its 11-year, $11 billion deal with the NFL to broadcast “Thursday Night Football.”
In September, Bezos and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had the internet buzzing when they were spotted looking chummy together at the Chiefs-Chargers game.
Bezos is the leading candidate by a wide margin to purchase the Commanders, should the team be up for sale, according to Front Office Sports.
Jay-Z — who is worth an estimated $1.3 billion by Forbes — has expressed serious interest in acquiring the team, according to TMZ, but he would seek a strategic partner to do so.
The Grammy-winning rapper also has ties to the NFL. In 2019, Jay-Z entered a partnership deal with the league to produce entertainment for events including Super Bowl halftime, as well as social justice initiatives.
Jay-Z is also the founder of Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company, inclusive of artist and athlete management. Saquon Barkley, Dez Bryant, Leonard Fournette and Todd Gurley are all represented by Roc Nation Sports.
Jay-Z previously owned a minority stake in the New Jersey Nets before they moved to Brooklyn. He sold his stake when he started Roc Nation Sports in 2013.
According to Forbes, Snyder already has at least four calls from people interested in buying the team.
A Commanders spokesperson told the Associated Press, “We are exploring all options.”
Snyder has been at the center of multiple controversies since he acquired ownership of the team in 1999, including several allegations of workplace misconduct and accusations of sexual misconduct.
If Snyder were to sell the team, it could potentially save him from being ousted as owner. A recent ESPN report said that Snyder has been trying to dig up dirt on other owners in an attempt to cling to ownership.
Bezos and Jay-Z have yet to address the matter.
