Bet on Jeff Bezos, Jay-Z Buying the Washington Commanders

Written by:
Don Shapiro
Published on:
Nov/04/2022

  • Jeff Bezos comes in as the favorite to purchase the Commanders but by only a point differential over the next option

  • Oddsmakers do not see Jay-Z's potential role in the NFL franchise as a majority owner

  • The Commanders current owner Dan Snyder issued a statement on Wednesday saying he was exploring options to sell the team

  • Billionaire American private equity investor Joshua Harris had the second shortest odds of purchasing the Commanders at 3-1

In light of reports that Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos may be teaming up with recording artist and former Nets co-owner Jay-Z to purchase the Washington Commanders NFL team, it remains to be seen how bets would be graded if that partnership would come to fruition as BetOnline released odds Friday showing Bezos the favorite at 2-1 and Jay-Z with relatively long odds of 15-1.  BetOnline's odds are explicit in stating "majority owner".

TMZ reported on Thursday that a partnership between the two men is indeed on the table.

Long time current owner Dan Snyder brought a major bank on board to explore selling options.  A statement issued on Wednesday makes clear he has not arrived at a final decision to sell.  Bank of America Securities would oversee the process should the team go up for sale. 

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The Commanders statement reads: “Dan and Tanya Snyder and the Washington Commanders announced today that they have hired BofA Securities to consider potential transactions. The Snyders remain committed to the team, all of its employees and its countless fans to putting the best product on the field and continuing the work to set the gold standard for workplaces in the NFL.”

A House Oversight Committee is currently investigating claims that Snyder fostered a "toxic workplace" while conducting "a shadow investigation to target his accusers, pin the blame on others, and influence the NFL's own internal review."

Last month, Snyder’s team released a statement saying an ESPN exposé on his ownership was “clearly part of a well-funded, two-year misinformation campaign to coerce the sale of the team, which will continue to be unsuccessful.”

The news of a potential sale was met with approval by the attorneys representing more than 40 former employees of the Washington organization.

"Today's news that Dan and Tanya Snyder are exploring selling the Washington Commanders is a good development for the team, its former and current employees, and its many fans. We will have to see how this unfolds, but this could obviously be a big step towards healing and closure for the many brave women and men who came forward," attorneys Lisa Banks and Debra Katz said as part of a joint statement.

Dan, 57, and his wife Tanya, 60, reportedly have fielded at least four phone calls with parties interested in buying the Commanders, according to Forbes.

The next Commanders owner odds are tight as Bezos (pictured below) is only favored by a single point.

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Billionaire American private equity investor Joshua Harris had the second shortest odds at 3-1.  He's a co-owner of both the New Jersey Devils NHL team and the Philadelphia 76ers NBA franchise.  He is also a minority owner in the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team.  Harris would be required to sell those shares prior to any purchase of the Commanders.

Chief executive of United Wholesale Mortgage, Mat Ishbia, pays the third shortest odds at 4-1.  Ishibia was one who expressed earlier interest in purchasing the Denver Broncos NFL franchise.  He was also part of a group that funded MSU football coach Mel Tucker’s 10-year, $95 million extension last year.

Robert Smith, founder of the private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, pays 5-1 odds. 

Television producer and comedian Byron Allen rounds out the pack with single-digit odds at 6-1.  The former co-host of "Real People" runs the Allen Media Group, which has ownership interest in the Weather Channel.  Allen previously expressed an interest in buying the Broncos.

The Commanders are valued at $5.6 billion, according to Forbes. 

Snyder has owned the team since 1999.  He is believed to have purchased the franchise at $800 million.

Washington Commanders Next Majority Owner

Jeff Bezos        2-1

Josh Harris      3-1

Mat Ishbia       4-1

Robert Smith   5-1

Byron Allen     6-1

Larry Ellison    10-1

Michael Dell    12-1

Jay-Z                15-1

Steve Pagliuca 15-1

David Blitzer    20-1

Clearlake Capital 25-1

Elon Musk       100-1

- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com

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