Former TV star already preparing bid to buy Commanders if Dan Snyder sells

The NFL world was set ablaze Wednesday when Forbes reported Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder hired Bank of America Securities to explore a potential sale of the franchise. It’s worth noting this could include a minority stake, but the sheer backlash Snyder is facing suggests a full sale is on the table.

Already being investigated following allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct, the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia has opened a criminal investigation into Washington’s alleged financial improprieties.

Not to mention, Colts owner Jim Irsay is leading a charge amongst owners (unclear how many) to remove Snyder as the Commanders’ owner.

While fans are itching to know Snyder’s intentions, they’re equally interested in knowing whom might succeed the widely-panned owner.

Household names like Jeff Bezos and Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) are being floated as possibilities, but an early contender emerged Wednesday night after Bloomberg reported media mogul Byron Allen is preparing a bid to purchase the franchise.

Media mogul and former TV star Bryon Allen is preparing a bid to buy Commanders if Dan Snyder sells.

The owner and CEO of Entertainment Studios, Allen is working with an investor group to bid on the Commanders. Allen is seeking to become the NFL’s first Black owner and his motivation to do so is evident after he placed a bid on the Denver Broncos over the summer. Ultimately, the Broncos were bought by the Walton-Penner family group for $4.65 billion; a record sale for a franchise in any sport.

A bid for the Commanders is expected to cost more, as any buyer would have to consider an investment into a new stadium. The FedEx Field lease runs through the 2027 season, but the construction of a stadium takes multiple years so a buyer would likely lay the groundwork for the project upon buying the team.

Allen’s Entertainment Studios, also known as Allen Media Group, is valued at more than $4.5 billion and is the largest privately held media company in the country. Through the company, Allen owns the following network affiliate broadcast TV stations: ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, as well as 24-hour TV networks and streaming services including The Weather Channel, HBCU Go and Comedy.TV, among others.

Beyond that, Allen has hosted and co-hosted shows like Comics Unleashed, Real People, The Byron Allen Sow, Kickin’ It with Byron Allen and Entertainers with Byron Allen. The 61-year-old is also the executive producer of Funny You Should Ask.

Will Allen add owner of the Washington Commanders to his esteemed resume? We’ll know soon enough, but the fact he’s (reportedly) already preparing a bid means he’s firmly embedded as a candidate to succeed Snyder.