Ted Lerner, the Washington Nationals owner and local real estate mogul, has died at the age of 97, a Nationals spokesman confirmed.
Lerner and his family have owned the Nationals since purchasing the club for $450 million in 2006, a year after the team’s inaugural season back in the District. In his tenure, Lerner’s Nationals underwent a lengthy rebuilding process that ultimately paid off with the club’s first-ever World Series in 2019. That team famously began the season 19-31 before a dramatic turnaround that led them to beat the Houston Astros in seven games in the championship series.
Lerner’s death comes as the Nationals have explored a sale for almost the past year. The team has been unable to find a buyer reportedly due to the obstacles that come with the team’s television rights as the Baltimore Orioles control the network that airs Washington’s games.
Ted Lerner, meanwhile, had taken a step back from public view in recent years as he ceded day-to-day operations of the club to his son, Mark, in 2018.
Before buying the Nationals, Lerner made his fortune in real estate — becoming the largest developer in the area by helping develop shopping centers such as Tysons Corner Center and Dulles Town Center. He also became a minority partner in Ted Leonsis’ Monumental Sports and Entertainment, which owns the Washington Wizards, Capitals and Mystics.
“RIP Ted Lerner,” Leonsis tweeted. “Built this city, built Tysons Corner. The Lerner name is impeccable everywhere. He won a World Series for the fans of the Nationals. Family First. Husband, father, grandfather, great-grand father, business icon and GIANT. Will never be another like Mr. Ted Lerner.”
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A Nationals spokesman told The Washington Times that Lerner died Sunday in Chevy Chase, Maryland, from complications of pneumonia
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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