Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is working with a New York investment firm to explore the possibility of submitting a bid to purchase the Washington Commanders, according to multiple news reports Thursday.
The Washington Post and ESPN reported that Bezos has recently hired Allen & Company, a firm that has played prominent roles in recent sports franchise transactions, including those of NFL teams. The firm was involved in both the Carolina Panthers’ sale to David Tepper and the Denver Broncos’ sale to a group led by Rob Walton.
A spokesperson for Bezos declined to comment Friday. Attempts to reach spokespeople at Allen & Company were unsuccessful.
The move signals at least mild interest from Bezos, 59, in a possible purchase of the Commanders, who have been owned by Daniel Snyder and his family since 1999. The team announced in November that Snyder had hired a bank to ‘consider potential transactions’ involving either part or all of the team.
With an estimated net worth of $116 billion, according to Forbes, Bezos would immediately become the richest owner in the NFL. He has long been speculated as a suitor for the Commanders, given that he already owns a home in the area and purchased The Washington Post in 2013.
All franchise transactions have to be approved by three-quarters of the league’s ownership.
Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.