Washington Redskins Snyder Ownership and Control Structure
Daniel Snyder controlled the Washington Football Team through Washington Football Team LLC, a limited liability company registered in Delaware. The franchise was sold in 2023 to a group led by Josh Harris, who is the founder of Apollo Global Management and co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. The sale price was reported at approximately $6.05 billion, making it the most expensive transaction in North American sports history at the time of completion. The deal transferred operational control, branding decisions, and stadium-related planning to the new ownership group led by Harris.
The NFL approved the sale after an investigation into workplace conduct allegations that led to a $10 million fine against the franchise by the league office. The investigation, completed in 2021, reviewed claims of sexual harassment and toxic workplace culture under Snyder's ownership. Following the sale, the team rebranded from the Washington Football Team to the Washington Commanders in 2022, a change finalized under the new ownership structure. The Commanders currently operate as a limited partnership entity with Harris as the controlling partner.
Washington Redskins Snyder Net Worth and Business Portfolio
Daniel Snyder built his wealth through Snyder Communications, a marketing and outsourcing company he founded in 1986, which he later sold to French conglomerate Vivendi in 2000 for roughly $4.1 billion in stock. After the sale, Snyder used proceeds to purchase the Washington franchise in 1999 for approximately $800 million. As of the latest Forbes NFL valuations, the Washington Commanders franchise is now worth an estimated $5.6 billion under new ownership, reflecting a significant increase from the purchase price paid during Snyder's tenure.
Snyder's post-sale portfolio includes real estate holdings, private equity interests, and investments in media and technology ventures through his family office. He retained ownership of Red Zebra Broadcasting, the radio company that held rights to broadcast Washington games until the sale of the team. Snyder also maintained a personal stake in several development projects in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, though details of those holdings are not publicly disclosed in full.
Washington Redskins Snyder Stadium Deal and Land Holdings
The previous ownership group under Snyder negotiated a $3.8 billion public-private stadium financing deal with Prince George's County, Maryland, to build a new domed stadium near the Capital Beltway. The plan included $1.2 billion in public funding sourced from hotel and rental car tax increases, with the remainder covered by the team and private investors. The proposal faced opposition from local officials and required approval from the Maryland General Assembly, which did not pass the necessary legislation during the Snyder ownership period.
Under the new ownership led by Josh Harris, the Commanders have shifted stadium plans toward a site in Potomac Yard, Virginia, near the city of Alexandria. The revised proposal includes a mixed-use development with residential, retail, and office space alongside the stadium, with the team seeking public funding for infrastructure improvements. The project is currently under review by local authorities, and the team has not yet secured final approval for the new stadium financing package. For details on the NFL's franchise valuation methodology, see the latest Forbes NFL Team Valuations report at Forbes NFL Valuations. The official SEC filing for the sale transaction can be reviewed at SEC EDGAR.