Is Jeff Bezos about to call game on Commanders ownership race?

Could multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos be in the early stages of calling time on the Washington Commanders’ ownership race?

While there has been plenty of optimism surrounding the Washington Commanders in recent days following the high-profile hire of Eric Bieniemy, there remains one dark cloud hanging over the organization. That is owner Dan Snyder and the team’s ownership.

Multiple reports suggest that Snyder is likely to sell sooner rather than later – perhaps looking to wrap something up before the NFL owners’ meetings. This seems unlikely given the timeframe, but there appears no chance of the disgraced figure being around much longer considering everything that’s gone on over the last year or two.

Speculation continues to mount regarding how much Snyder wants and who could put their name in the hat. However, a recent report from the Washington Post might be the start of this ownership race becoming a foregone conclusion.

Jeff Bezos hires investment firm for potential Commanders bid

Jeff Bezos, one of the world’s richest men with a net worth of $119 billion according to Forbes, has hired Allen & Company, a New York-based investment firm, to investigate the possibility of purchasing the Commanders, according to a joint report from Mark Maske, Nicki Jhabvala, and Liz Clarke.

Although it’s still early in the process, Bezos’ hiring of this particular firm is significant. They were pivotal contributors to the last two NFL franchises sold – the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos – who went to David Tepper and a group led by Walmart supremo Rob Walton for record sums.

The reporting trio confirmed that there is no definitive bid coming in from Bezos as it stands. Even though this is the clearest sign yet that there is a legitimate interest in exploring the possibility, at the very least.

"“It remains unclear whether Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, will make a bid to purchase Washington’s NFL team from owner Daniel Snyder. But his association with Allen & Company represents a concrete sign of his interest in conducting due diligence and potentially in moving forward in the process.”"

Bezos has been dipping his toe in the NFL water for some time now. He’s gradually increased his influence on the broadcasting side of things, which has added a completely new revenue stream to the league and something everyone is benefitting from.

There is the small matter of Snyder’s assumed asking price of $7 billion, which is an astronomical sum. However, if everything checks out and he decides to make an offer, Bezos has the financial clout to outbid almost anybody to secure the franchise.

This would be welcome news to many fans. Snyder’s ownership tenure in Washington has been turbulent with little in the way of success, with the crumbling state of FedEx Field another stain on the organization alongside the workplace conditions scandal.

Bezos reportedly met with Jay-Z last year about potentially getting involved. The rapper-turned-business mogul has an extra $750 million at his disposal after selling his controlling stake in the D’USSÉ Cognac brand, which would provide the Amazon founder with extra creditability around the league.

Nothing looks imminent. And there will be plenty of twists and turns to come before a complex deal such as this gets rubber-stamped.

But this looks pretty significant all things considered.