NFL

Potential Buyers To Replace Dan Snyder Include Jeff Bezos, Magic Johnson

Published

1 year ago

March 23, 2023

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The NFL annual owners’ meeting could be the end of the road for Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder. Hints that a Commanders sale could be imminent are everywhere, including Washington’s unconventional approach to free agency. Washington reportedly has pushed back the disbursements of signing bonuses by two months — which is a possible signal that Snyder is hoarding cash ahead of a potential sale.

That sets the stage for a dramatic owners’ meeting, when the league’s 32 owners could vote on a Commanders’ purchase proposal. But who will pony up the estimated $6 billion? Here’s a look at the known potential Commanders buyers — including a number of famous names.

Potential Buyers in Washington Commanders Sale

Intrigue regarding a Washington Commanders sale stretches back to at least 2020, when the Washington Post revealed an alleged culture of harassment towards female employees. That triggered a number of investigations — including one conducted by Congress — into Snyder and his organization. He’s also been accused of a series of financial improprieties.

MORE: Washington Commanders Super Bowl Odds

The compounding scandals have been the driving force — both internally and externally — to get Snyder to sell, either voluntarily or involuntarily. For ownership bids to succeed, they must first be vetted by the NFL’s finance committee and then ratified by three-quarters of the league’s 32 owners.

So who has the means and desire to make such a purchase? Here’s a list of potential buyers in the seemingly inevitable Commanders sale.

Josh Harris and Magic Johson

Since his retirement from the NBA, Magic Johnson has had at least a partial ownership stake in the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, and Los Angeles F.C. And now he’s teaming up with businessman and investor Josh Harris to bid on the Commanders.

The Washington Post reported recently that Johnson has joined the Harris-led investment group, which is viewed as the frontrunners to land the Commanders. Harris, since 2011, has also been part of a group that bought the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils, and Crystal Palace F.C.

Johnson and Harris together last year tried to buy the Denver Broncos, but a group by Walmart heir Rob Walton ultimately won out (with a purchase price of $4.7 billion).

Jeff Bezos

Creating Amazon has made Jeff Bezos the world’s third-richest man, but all the money in the world is useless if the person selling what you want to buy isn’t willing to sell it to you. And that might be Bezos’ reality when it comes to the Washington Commanders sale.

The Athletic reported last month that Bank of America — which is handling the sale — has informed Bezos that he is not allowed to even make an offer for the Commanders.

Why?

Payback by Snyder against the Bezos-owned Washington Post, which Snyder is said to loathe due to their aggressive and damaging coverage of Snyder and his football team.

Byron Allen

Byron Allen, media mogul and founder of Entertainment Studios, would become the first Black majority owner of an NFL franchise if he is the winning bid. Allen, like Harris and Johnson, was interested in buying the Broncos. His desire to own an NFL team didn’t end with that disappointment.

With a net worth of less than a billion dollars, Allen would need to assemble a deep-pocketed collection of investors to put together the kind of money needed to make the deal.

Tilman Fertitta

Another familiar name in the worlds of sports and entertainment, Tilman Fertitta, in recent weeks, submitted a bid that the Washington Post reports totaled $5.5 billion.

Fertitta is the owner of the Houston Rockets (whom in 2017 he bought for a then-record $2.2 billion) and Landry’s Inc. — the parent company of the Golden Nugget casinos and some of the nation’s most recognizable restaurant chains (including Del Frisco’s, Morton’s and Rainforest Cafe).

Fertitta also starred in the CNBC reality TV show “Billion Dollar Buyer,” which aired from 2016-2018.

Steve Apostolopoulos

A late edition to the Commanders Derby, Steve Apostolopoulos recently toured the Commanders training complex as he mulls a bid, per ESPN.

Apostolopoulos is a Candian billionaire who founded the private equity fund Six Ventures. He’s also been a candidate to buy the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets from Michael Jordan, but ESPN reports he is now focusing in on acquiring the Commanders.

Clearlake Capital

Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, co-founders of Clearlake Capital, first tried buying a minority stake in the Commanders in 2020. Snyder blocked that attempt then. Will he do so again?

Eghbali and Feliciano — who also were players in the Broncos sale but are seen as long shots to buy the Commanders — are believed to be worth more than $6 billion combined.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.