Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder announced Tuesday that he is taking the first steps to a possible sale of his franchise, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith knows what ownership should be.
“I’m talking about a majority owner of a National Football League franchise that happens to be a Black person. It would be great,” he stated on “First Take” after the announcement.
Smith was determined to remain on the panel during the segment, even though he was there to discuss controversial issues Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets point guard,Because he strongly believes that Black ownership of the Commanders would be beneficial to the league and all its members.
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Dan Snyder, co-owner of the team, speaks at the announcement that the Washington Football Team will be renamed to the Washington Commanders At FedExField on February 2, 2022 in Landover.
(Rob Carr/Getty Images)
He said, “One of the issues we have discussed and lamented in recent history is lack of representation, lack of diversity when it involves the ownership.” “Maybe there would be more Black owners. More issues could be addressed and more transparency. It is obvious that there would be more coaches who are of African American heritage and beyond. “I see this as an opportunity to include an African American in the proceedings.”
Smith also mentioned that some ownership is African American, including Mellody Hoopson, who is a minority shareholder of the Denver Broncos. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, is also part of this ownership group.
It is a long time since it happened in the National Football League. More than 65% of the players are Black. Smith stated, “Obviously we understand that.” “We recognize that it’s the most popular sport in North America. We also get all that. We all know how important the NFL is. You’re talking about it being worth billions upon billions of dollars, and there are enough Black folks with deep pockets who would love to be a part of the cash cow that is the National Football league. They have the chance to do it.
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Who would be the most prominent member of the ownership group? Smith suggested Jay-Z and Beyoncé might want to get into sports ownership again. Jay-Z eventually had to sell the Nets’ minority stake. However, Roc Nation Sports was his division and represented multiple leagues.
All Commanders shares are owned by the Snyder family, who bought out minorities partners in March 2021. But Snyder’s time in Washington has been the subject of many investigations and accusations of a toxic workplace environment, which is still ongoing.
According to the official statement, “The Snyders are committed to the team and all its employees as well as its many fans to putting the best product out on the field and continuing to work to set the standard for workplaces in NFL.”
Washington Commanders owners Tanya Snyder, left, and Dan Snyder on the field before the Dallas Cowboys defeat of the Washington Commanders 25-10 at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 2, 2022 in Arlington, TX.
(John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Forbes reported that Snyder had been in touch with several potential buyers. Snyder has remained firm in his refusal to sell the team. Jim Irsay, a fellow owner of the team, is keeping his distance. Indianapolis ColtsReporters at the NFL Fall Meetings were told by Snyder that he believed Snyder was entitled to voting.
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“I think it’s a good idea for him to be removed as the owner of the [Commanders]”Yes,” Irsay stated in October from the lobby of a New York hotel. “There is consideration that he should not be allowed to return.”
An investigation by lawmakers found that Snyder played a significant role in fostering a toxic work environment and pointed to evidence that suggested Snyder impeded the NFL’s independent probeThese allegations. As part of the investigation, Snyder did not testify in June before the House lawmakers. Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, did testify before the committee.
Stephen A. Smith in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on the “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” Thursday, September 22, 2022.
(Paula Lobo/NBC via Getty Images
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The NFL would fine the organization $10 million and Snyder was told to focus on other issues after last year’s outcome of the investigation, while his wife, co-CEO Tanya Snyder, was told to focus more on team matters.
Ryan Gaydos from Fox News contributed to this article.
