Before Josh Harris purchased the franchise for $6.05 billion from Dan Snyder, scandals and losing had made the club a punchline. But as another NFL season kicks off Thursday, the Commanders enter the year with hope that perception is starting to change.
The NBA Hall of Famer and Commanders limited partner was on hand at the team's headquarters to take in practice and speak with players ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson will also attend an event Thursday when the Commanders' charitable foundation visits a Boys and Girls club in Southeast D.C.
Team president Jason Wright said in a local radio Wednesday that a return to the former name is 'not being considered' by the team. Wright's response comes after an online petition amassed more than 100,000 signatures in an attempt for the team to change its name back to the Redskins.
As he sat in the front row for Josh Harris' introductory press conference, Terry McLaurin took particular note when new Commanders limited partner Magic Johnson said that Washington's ownership group wanted to "take all the headaches away" from players and coaches.
When he took over the Philadelphia 76ers almost a dozen years ago, Josh Harris said he didn't view his newly purchased basketball team as a distressed asset. Twelve years later, having bought his childhood football team, he makes no such claims about the Washington Commanders.