Expand / Collapse search
Watch TV
Menu

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2024 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.

Washington Commanders

Commanders' Ron Rivera calls sale of team a 'relief': 'A load was lifted'

The Commanders are about to be sold for over $6 billion

Ryan Morik By Ryan Morik Fox News
Published
close
Fox News Flash top sports headlines for April 14 Video

Fox News Flash top sports headlines for April 14

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

After months and months of agony, questions and controversy, the Washington Commanders are on the verge of being sold.

Daniel Snyder has reportedly reached a deal to sell the team to a group led by Josh Harris, the co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils, for $6 billion. Billionaire Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Magic Johnson are also a part of the group.

Upon learning the news, head coach Ron Rivera said he felt "kind of relief."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Ron Rivera coaches

Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders reacts during the first half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium Aug. 27, 2022, in Baltimore. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

"It really seemed like a load was lifted because everybody was on pins and needles for the last couple of months," Rivera told USA Today. "You kind of wondered what was going to happen."

There wasn't much time to process it with the NFL Draft in just two weeks.

"Then we got right back to the draft meetings. We’ll still be business as usual," Rivera added.

With a potential ownership change comes likely uncertainty for team personnel. 

Ron Rivera coaches against the Eagles

Head coach Ron Rivera of the Washington Commanders looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Lincoln Financial Field Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia.  (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

NFL WITHHOLDS DRAFT INVITE FROM POTENTIAL FIRST-ROUND PICK TO AVOID AWKWARD TV MOMENT: REPORT

"At the end of the day," Rivera said, "you have to make the best of it right now."

Snyder has been under fire in recent years and has faced pressure to sell the team. The team changed its original nickname following the racial unrest in 2020, and the organization was fined $10 million following an investigation into alleged workplace misconduct.

Congress began investigating the team in October 2021 when allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct arose after Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden stepped down following the leak of emails with then-Commanders team president Bruce Allen. 

"Riverboat Ron," 61, was hired by Washington Jan. 1, 2020, after spending the previous nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Daniel and Tanya Snyder unveil the Commanders

Washington Commanders co-owner Dan Snyder speaks as co-owner Tanya Snyder listens during a press conference revealing the Commanders as the new name of Washington's football team at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., Feb 2, 2022. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Washington owns the 16th pick of the NFL Draft that kicks off April 27 in Kansas City.

Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.