Potential bidders for the Washington Commanders believe Amazon founder Jeff Bezos would be the front-runner to buy the franchise, but the groups are vying to be “the next-leading option” if the billionaire opts to not pursue the team or sets a firm limit on what he is willing to spend, according to a new report.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that prospective groups believe Bezos’ net worth makes the Commanders “his for the taking” because he would likely be able to outbid all other potential buyers. Forbes estimates Bezos’ net worth at $120.5 billion, making him the fourth-richest person in the world.
Bezos has been strongly rumored to be interested in the Commanders in the weeks since the team confirmed owners Dan and Tanya Snyder hired an investment bank to explore “potential transactions” that include a possible sale of the franchise. People magazine reported that Bezos could partner on a bid with hip-hop artist Jay-Z.
In an interview with CNN that aired Monday, Bezos said he has indeed “heard that buzz” about the Commanders but added he couldn’t talk about it.
Asked generally if he would be interested in owning a sports team one day, Bezos didn’t deny it.
“I grew up in Houston, Texas, and I played football growing up as a kid,” Bezos said. “It is my favorite sport. You know, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The Washington Post, which is owned by Bezos, reported that the groups previously in the running for the Denver Broncos earlier this year are expected to be candidates to buy the Commanders. A total of five groups formally submitted bids to buy the Broncos before they sold for $4.65 billion to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton.
Snyder, if he sells, is expected to fetch much more for his team than the Broncos’ price. Forbes estimated the Commanders’ value is $5.6 billion, though multiple reports indicate the price tag could land between $6 billion to $7 billion.
The Post added that the Commanders’ sale process is “likely to be slowed” by the legal issues surrounding the Burgundy and Gold. Last week, D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the Commanders, Snyder, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell. There are also a series of probes still being conducted by the NFL, Congress, the Virginia attorney general’s office and the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia that could lead to more problems.
Any new buyer for the franchise, The Post reported, would not want to be liable for any financial penalty issued against the team.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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