Connect with us

Published

on

close video Jeff Bezos’ possible Commanders bid could make Dan Snyder the $6 billion man

FOX Business’ Charlie Gasparino reports billionaire Jeff Bezos could be eyeing the NFL’s Washington Commanders on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

Dan Snyder, the embattled owner of the Washington Commanders, bought the NFL team in 1999 for a then-record of $800 million. He and his advisers are now confident he can sell it for $6 billion or possibly more, people with direct knowledge of the matter tell Fox Business.

The reason? Jeff Bezos.

JEFF BEZOS THE FAVORITE WITH DAN SNYDER'S FIRM $6 BILLION WASHINGTON COMMANDERS ASK

 As Fox Business was first to report, Bezos, the Amazon founder worth $125 billion, is not being summarily rejected by Snyder as a bidder for the famed sports franchise (formerly known as the Washington Redskins) despite media reports to the contrary. In fact, people close to Snyder have reached out to Bezos' reps, saying the rumors of bad blood are way overblown. Snyder would welcome a Bezos bid, people with direct knowledge of the matter say. 

Team co-owners Dan and Tanya Snyder pose for a photo with former team members during the announcement of the Washington Football Team’s name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, on Feb. 2, 2022. (Rob Carr/Getty Images / Getty Images)

It is for obvious reasons: If Bezos pays at least $6 billion for the team, Snyder would have produced a 650% return on the sale compared to 220.2% return in the stock market during that time. Not bad. 

Bezos, Fox Business has learned, has expressed interest in owning the Commanders, as both he and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, are big football fans. He is no longer the CEO and running the day-to-day operations of Amazon (he remains chairman). He has hired bankers to explore a bid, but hasn’t yet bid. Bezos was put off when media reports surfaced that said Snyder wouldn’t sell to him over ill will because of the coverage of the Bezos-owned Washington Post about sexual misconduct allegations that have swirled around management of the team. 

The NFL is investigating, and Snyder has denied any wrongdoing.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: HOW DID THEY KEEP THE NEW NAME SECRET FOR SO LONG?

The reports prompted a Snyder rep to make contact with someone in the Bezos camp to tell them that the Snyder understands Bezos doesn’t control the Post’s editorial coverage, people with direct knowledge of the matter first told Fox Business. On Wednesday, several media outlets reported that Bezos and Snyder have spoken, though the details of their conversation could not be determined.

Jeff Bezos and his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez leave The Court restaurant in Rome, Italy. (Ciao Pix / Shutterstock / SplashNews.com)

So, will Bezos pull the trigger? A rep didn’t return an email for comment. A spokesperson for the Commanders had no comment. 

The thinking among NFL sources goes something like this: Once all the bids are in, that’s when Bezos might make his move and top the offers. So far, only a few potential bidders have emerged who can meet Snyder’s demands for a deal that’s around $6 billion. They include former Apollo Management founder Josh Harris of Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, which owns the Philadephia 76ers, among other sports franchises. Another bidder, Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, is said to be offering around $5.5 billion.

Some NFL sources are dubious if Harris’ $6 billion is as firm as has been leaked (Harris Blitzer didn’t return a call for comment), given league requirements for equity, etc. Bezos, given his enormous net worth, can easily shell out that type of money and meet the NFL’s strict requirements that demand significant equity in any bid, and a limit on minority owners. With Bezos in the game, Harris might also be forced to bid a higher amount, these people add.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS ‘ENGAGED IN FINANCIAL IMPROPRIETIES,’ US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING: REPORT

Then there’s the mercurial Snyder. He’s sounding like he wants to sell, but people close to him say it’s his choice. The sexual harassment allegations around the team, they say, have a political taint since the congressional investigation that sparked the NFL probe was conducted largely by the then Democratic House majority, and Snyder is a Republican. His people say they are confident the league probe will show he has done nothing wrong. 

A general view of a section of stadium seats with the Washington Commanders logo before the game between the Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, on Jan. 1, 2023. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images / Getty Images)

Snyder now runs the team with his wife Tanya, and together they have overhauled management. There is more than a possibility that Snyder could decide to keep a team that he loves if the NFL probe isn’t a problem. He is, after all, a longtime fan, having grown up in the D.C. area, and he desperately wants to win a Super Bowl.

But people close to Snyder, 57, say he also knows life is too short. He has a great life and a family. Meanwhile, the D.C. fan base is growing hostile to his ownership since the franchise, known for winning multiple Super Bowls in the 1980s and 1990s, has yet to win since he took over nearly a quarter-century ago.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Also, $6 billion-plus is a hard number to walk away from, which is why Snyder has no problem with the Bezos bid.

Continue Reading

Sports

Former White Sox pitcher, world champ Jenks dies

Published

on

By

Former White Sox pitcher, world champ Jenks dies

Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox who was on the roster when the franchise won the 2005 World Series, died Friday in Sintra, Portugal, the team announced.

Jenks, 44, who had been diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer, this year, spent six seasons with the White Sox from 2005 to 2010 and also played for the Boston Red Sox in 2011. The reliever finished his major league career with a 16-20 record, 3.53 ERA and 173 saves.

“We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family today,” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “None of us will ever forget that ninth inning of Game 4 in Houston, all that Bobby did for the 2005 World Series champions and for the entire Sox organization during his time in Chicago. He and his family knew cancer would be his toughest battle, and he will be missed as a husband, father, friend and teammate. He will forever hold a special place in all our hearts.”

After Jenks moved to Portugal last year, he was diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. That eventually spread into blood clots in his lungs, prompting further testing. He was later diagnosed with adenocarcinoma and began undergoing radiation.

In February, as Jenks was being treated for the illness, the White Sox posted “We stand with you, Bobby” on Instagram, adding in the post that the club was “thinking of Bobby as he is being treated.”

In 2005, as the White Sox ended an 88-year drought en route to the World Series title, Jenks appeared in six postseason games. Chicago went 11-1 in the playoffs, and he earned saves in series-clinching wins in Game 3 of the ALDS at Boston, and Game 4 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.

In 2006, Jenks saved 41 games, and the following year, he posted 40 saves. He also retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever.

“You play for the love of the game, the joy of it,” Jenks said in his last interview with SoxTV last year. “It’s what I love to do. I [was] playing to be a world champion, and that’s what I wanted to do from the time I picked up a baseball.”

A native of Mission Hills, California, Jenks appeared in 19 games for the Red Sox and was originally drafted by the then-Anaheim Angels in the fifth round of the 2000 draft.

Jenks is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their two children, Zeno and Kate, and his four children from a prior marriage, Cuma, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Sports

In search of infield options, Yanks add Candelario

Published

on

By

In search of infield options, Yanks add Candelario

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees, digging for options to bolster their infield, have signed third baseman Jeimer Candelario to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the affiliate announced Saturday.

Candelario, 31, was released by the Cincinnati Reds on June 23, halfway through a three-year, $45 million contract he signed before the start of last season. The decision was made after Candelario posted a .707 OPS in 2024 and batted .113 with a .410 OPS in 22 games for the Reds before going on the injured list in April with a back injury.

The performance was poor enough for Cincinnati to cut him in a move that Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall described as a sunk cost.

For the Yankees, signing Candelario is a low-cost flier on a player who recorded an .807 OPS just two seasons ago as they seek to find a third baseman to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base, his natural position.

Candelario is the second veteran infielder the Yankees have signed to a minor league contract in the past three days; they agreed to terms with Nicky Lopez on Thursday.

Continue Reading

Sports

Dodgers’ Snell pitches to hitters, ‘looked good’

Published

on

By

Dodgers' Snell pitches to hitters, 'looked good'

LOS ANGELES — Pitchers Blake Snell and Blake Treinen are progressing toward a return for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Snell and Treinen each faced hitters Saturday, and Snell pitched two innings. Each could begin a rehab assignment after the All-Star break.

The 32-year-old Snell has pitched in two games for the Dodgers following his five-year, $182 million free agent deal after spending last season with the San Francisco Giants and three before that with the San Diego Padres. He is a two-time Cy Young Award winner.

“(Snell) looked good. He looked really good,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I don’t know what the velo was but the ball was coming out really well. He used his entire pitch mix. I thought the delivery was clean, sharp, so really positive day.”

The Dodgers’ starting rotation has been injury-prone this season but is starting to get a boost from Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar who is working as an opener in his return from elbow surgery.

Treinen is looking to get back to his role in the back end of the bullpen. He threw one inning Saturday.

“Blake Treinen I thought was really good as well,” Roberts said. “Both those guys should be ready at some point in time shortly after the All-Star break.”

Continue Reading

Trending