Jeff Bezos ‘hires investment firm ahead of possible bid for Washington Commanders,

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos has hired an investment firm to ‘evaluate a possible bid’ for the Washington Commanders, according to the new report.

Bezos has been continually linked to the embattled franchise over the last year, but he has now taken a tangible step closer to becoming part of sports’ most elite ownership club.

According to the Washington Post, who cited anonymous sources, Bezos is working with with Allen & Company, who handled the recent sales of the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos.

David Tepper purchased the Panthers in 2018, while the Walton-Penner family ownership group bought the Broncos last year.

If Bezos manages to close a deal for the Commanders, it won’t come cheap.

Incumbent owner Dan Snyder is reportedly holding out for $7billion ,with the highest offer thus far only reaching a cool $6.3bn, which would’ve broken the record for the most expensive NFL team purchase set when the Broncos were bought for $4.65bn in 2022.

Bezos’ reported interest in the team comes after longtime owner Dan Snyder enlisted Bank of America Securities last year to explore selling all or a portion of the team , which he bought for $800million in 1999. 

Back in December there was reported to be a deadline for any bids for the Commanders, with the team expected to be valued in the region of $5.5-6.5bn.

However, there have been no further updates on the sale since a report that bidders were told Snyder was looking to offload at least a majority stake of the team last month, according to Front Office Sports.

Snyder is said to be unwilling to sell to Bezos, who owns The Washington Post. The outlet exposed the toxic workplace claims and detailed a previously unknown harassment claim against Snyder in 2009. Snyder denied the allegations of harassment.

Meanwhile, Bezos bought the Washington Post in 2013 for $250m but the New York Post reported last month Bezos is ‘looking to clear the way’ to get the Commanders from the embattled Snyder.

Of course, Bezos is not the only one interested in the team.

The Washington Post also mentioned Josh Harris as a potential buyer, and pointed out that the 58-year-old had recently visited the team’s practice facility.

Harris owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.