Sports fans can’t seem to hide their excitement about the new owners of the Washington Commanders.
Days after a group led by Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils co-owner Josh Harris reached a deal with Daniel Snyder involving the sale and purchase of the NFL franchise, a minor league baseball team wants to celebrate the end of the Synder era.
The Bowie Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and located in Maryland, will celebrate the new ownership on Thursday for its home game against the Altoona Curve by offering anyone named ‘Josh’ or ‘Harris’ a free ticket. The team also announced anyone wearing a Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson jersey will get a free ticket, since he is part of the ownership group.
Anyone in Washington gear will be able to receive a game box seat for $10.
‘IT’S OVER!’ the team said on Twitter. ‘Celebrate the long-awaited ownership change of the Washington Commanders with us on Thursday, May 18!’
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‘Going away’ cake for Dan Snyder
As part of the celebrations, Bowie said the game will feature a look back on the last 25 years of the Washington NFL franchise, including a ‘going away cake in honor of the Commanders soon to be former owner.’ One person named Josh, one named Harris and one wearing a Johnson jersey will get to throw out the first pitch.
Baysox general manager Brian Shallcross told the Washington Post that the front office had considered a celebration for weeks, but wanted to wait until it was official. The original idea was to throw Snyder a retirement party, but they didn’t want ‘to acknowledge Dan that much’ and wanted it to be for fans who have been waiting for the team to be sold.
‘We wanted the promotion to be positive and forward-looking,’ Shallcross said. ‘It’s hard to find somebody that has positive things to say about the organization and the ownership, so we just thought it was the right time for a celebration.
The Baysox play at Prince George’s Stadium, which is less than nine miles east of FedExField, where the Commanders play.