PHOENIX — Don’t expect a resolution to the potential sale of Washington Commanders at this week’s NFL owners meetings, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones predicted Monday.
The Commanders have been on the market since at least November, when the team announced that Dan and Tanya Snyder had hired an investment bank to explore “potential transactions” that include a full sale of the team.
Though owners had reportedly hoped that Snyder would reach an agreement to sell the franchise by late March so that the rest of the league could approve the deal, Jones’ comments are the latest indication that no vote will be taken before the meetings conclude Tuesday.
Elsewhere, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft also weighed in on the state of the Commanders — though largely sidestepped questions about Snyder’s status.
Kraft said he didn’t have a “stance” about whether Snyder needed to sell.
“I believe that something is close to happening,” Kraft said. “I don’t know that for sure. We’ll wait and see what happens.”
Jones told reporters that his relationship with Snyder is “more formal” than it used to be — “it’s not lovey-dovey,” he said — but added he didn’t think it was strained. In October, Snyder made his only public appearance of the season when he posed with Jones on the field before a game in Dallas.
Weeks later, an ESPN report emerged that the two men had a falling out after Snyder reportedly told colleagues that he had “dirt” on Jones. Jones and the Commanders have denied those details.
Snyder has been a frequent topic of conversation since the meetings started, even though his team is not on the NFL’s official agenda. A source with knowledge of the situation said that the owner has refused to participate in Mary Jo White’s investigation into Snyder and his team.
There are at least four known prospective buyers, meanwhile, who have been linked to the franchise. Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos are all believed to have submitted bids for the Commanders, while Amazon founder Jeff Bezos continues to be mentioned as a possible buyer.
Neither Jones nor Kraft was asked about the prospective candidates Monday, though Kraft has praised Bezos in the past. He told Fox Business that he believes Bezos would be a “great” owner of a team.
Asked Monday if he thinks Snyder deserves to have a team, Kraft demurred.
“I tell you, I’m really focused on trying to see what I can do to help our team make the playoffs next year,” Kraft said. “I’m going to let his fans worry about that.”
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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