Jeff Bezos faces obstacles to buying the Washington Commanders.
But he might not be out of the running, after all.
Front Office Sports reported Monday that Bezos remains in the hunt to purchase the Commanders, despite reports that have recently indicated that Bank of America — the investment bank handling the sale of the team — has barred the Amazon founder from submitting a bid from the team.
One source told the business outlet that the supposed ban is likely a play from owner Dan Snyder to “get a high bid” out of Bezos, who has been considered the front-runner because of his vast personal wealth, though there have been conflicting reports about whether the billionaire is actually interested in making an offer. Snyder, who the outlet maintains wants at least $7 billion for the team, was “disappointed” by the early bids that topped out at $6.3 billion.
But the news, however, has reportedly left NFL owners “increasingly concerned” over the team’s sale process as an agreement still has not been reached since the team went on the market last fall.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been tight-lipped about a potential Commanders sale, telling reporters this month that a deal is up to the team.
“That’s their process,” Goodell said in lead up to the Super Bowl. “Ultimately if they reach a conclusion and have someone that will be joining the ownership group or buying the team entirely, that’s something that the ownership will look at.”
Some NFL owners, Front Office Sports wrote, are “vexed” that Snyder could be using the process as a ploy to ultimately try and keep the team — a theory that has occasionally been floated throughout the saga. One sports lawyer told The Athletic that the process has unfolded “exactly how many feared,” while the New York Post reported Snyder “may not want to give it up.”
Still, it’s still believed that Snyder will budge and come to sell the team.
Whether that buyer is Bezos, Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta or some other unidentified billionaire is still up in the air.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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