Will Fenway Sports Take Command in D.C?

The ownership of the Washington Commanders is likely to change hands in the not-too-distant future.

This week, even the playing staff were drawn into the off-field shenanigans, following a quite amazingly clumsy statement from a Commanders spokesman who inexplicably used the example of the shooting attempt on Brian Robinson Jr to make a point against D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine.

It felt like the very last straw of a team that desperately needs to begin afresh.

Here at UKHTTW I invited James Lowe of the Washington FCUK podcast to offer some snap opinion on four questions relating to new ownership; and then gave my UKHTTC response.

Who would you like to see as the owner or owners of the Washington Commanders?

James: My ideal scenario would be someone like John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who has recently put Liverpool up for sale. Someone with sports ownership experience. I’d also be happy with Ted Leonsis who has other teams in the town.

Christian UKHTTC: As a Liverpool FC fan, I am in a reasonably informed to offer opinion on the ownership of the Reds by FSG. Some facts first of all: under FSG, Liverpool have won the league, been involved in three Champions League finals (winning one) and have also lifted both domestic cups in England.

Recruitment has been the foundation for the success of Liverpool under John W. Henry II. At a managerial level, the hiring of charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp has been the catalyst on the field, and this has been aligned to a majority of signings hitting the ground running.

In Washington, the need for a new stadium is obvious, with FedEx an outdated bowl which regular sees the burgundy & gold fanbase outnumbered by opponent fans.

The capacity of Anfield will be 61,000 for the 2023/24 season and the training facilities have also been upgraded. FSG decided early on that expansion of Anfield was preferable to the building of a new stadium and this has proved to be a very wise move.

Not everything has gone smoothly, with a feeling that player investment was underwhelming after the 2019/20 league title winning campaign. There has also been the car crash of the European Super League and mooted increased ticket prices, but on both occasions, FSG did listen to the supporters and changed course.

In the final analysis, FSG would be a solid owner of the Commanders, but without the razzamatazz of a Jeff Bezos/Jay-Z led franchise.

Right now, they are looking at the very least, into selling a minority stake in Liverpool, so I am unsure whether the expected $6-8billion is manageable. If the future ownership of the Commanders is FSG, my calculated guess is such owners would put a lot into analytics for recruitment and would want to hire an innovative and forward-thinking front office and coaching staff.

Which leads us into: who would you retain on and off the field in Washington?

James: I would retain everyone. I don’t think you can judge anyone without a QB. It is the FO job to get one this Spring and I still have a tiny bit of hope that Wentz can turn it around.

Christian UKHTTC: the roster in D.C has a number of young and talented guys, and I would be doing everything to keep the likes of Daron Payne, Montez Sweat, Kamren Curl, Benjamin St-Juste et al in the building with their best years yet to come. Unlike James, I have no real faith in Wentz, and he will not be getting a contract to suit up in 2023 under new ownership.

Head Coach Ron Rivera is a nice guy and GM Martin Mayhew also is a nice guy and I have little doubt they work 24/7 to try and improve this team in difficult circumstances. But would a new owner be guaranteed to keep them around? They have had three seasons to get their guy under centre and the current QB is Taylor Heinicke. Again, likeable, but not a ringing endorsement of success.

What is the first thing you’d like an owner to do?

James: pay compensation to everyone wronged by the team. Issue a genuine apology and then I’d really love to never hear from the owner until he is lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. I want a very boring owner!

Christian UKHTTC: no arguments here. It is vital that the new owners draw a clear and distinct line in the sand between the inept Daniel Snyder and themselves. The Commanders do not need flashy free agents year one or two, but the owners should be looking at a trade-up package to recruit and coach a stud rookie QB by, or in, the 2024 Draft. Get a plug-in and play veteran QB ($10-15m) in 2023 to hold the reins and ensure the likes of Payne can get paid.

I would expect, however, some personnel changes not too far into a new ownership and, at a minimum, a hot seat for the HC, OC, and DC in 2023.

What would you absolutely not want to see from new owners?

James: Any sort of nation state with horrific human rights records. A Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk who have horrific worker rights records. I don’t want a hands-on owner at all. I really never want to hear anything non-football related about the Commanders.

Christian UKHTTC: With regard to Jeff Bezos, I am perhaps less concerned than James. This is the NFL, and we are essentially in fairy-tale land than reality. There is a lot to be said for a hint of the flash in Washington, and a stadium built by Bezos you can imagine would rival any opponent in state of the art stakes.

Totally agree with a huge pass on Elon Musk or anyone else who divides on more political lines.