The new owners of the Washington Commanders ‘could change the name of the franchise to erase any part of the legacy of Dan Snyder’

The new owners of the Washington Commanders could look to rename the franchise following the $6.05 billion sale, according to a report.

The $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders to the Josh Harris-led consortium was approved by the rest of the NFL’s owners on Thursday.

It ends Dan Snyder’s long tenure, one of the most turbulent in the league. But the new owners might already be looking to shake things up.

The incoming ownership group includes Harris, who also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, as well as Los Angeles Lakers legend and Dodgers co-owner Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson.

And, the group could look to change the name of the organization after it takes over, according to ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr..

Washington fans gather at the 2023 NFL Draft with a banner reading “Commanders”

“I think there’s a very good chance that it will erase any part of the Snyder legacy to have a complete revamp,” said Natta Jr., when asked if the change was a possibility, while appearing on the show. Rich Eisen show.

“I wouldn’t be at all surprised, Rich, to see a name change and a full rebrand.”

The trade could mark the beginning of a clean slate for the Commanders after Snyder’s ownership.

Snyder, who was fined $60 million by the NFL on Thursday following an investigation into allegations of misconduct and financial improprieties, faced many controversies during his tenure.

During Snyder’s tenure, the team came under fire for its former nickname, the Redskins, which is considered offensive to Native Americans.

Snyder fought the change for years, but Washington finally dropped the “Redskins” name in 2020 under a wave of scrutiny amid the George Floyd protests.

That change, first to the ‘Washington Football Team’ placeholder and then to ‘Commanders’, also angered many fans and conservatives.

The move could usher in a clean slate after Dan Snyder’s ownership

Snyder struck it rich in the 1990s after selling his communications company to a French advertising conglomerate in a $2 billion deal.

The longtime Redskins fan splurged $800 million for the club in 1999 but failed to build a successful culture in Washington amid battles with executives, minority partners, local government officials, the NFL, the media and, most of all, disgruntled fans.

While the Redskins were perennial contenders throughout the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and early ’90s, Snyder’s erratic decisions led to instability and massive turnover.

The team had 27 starting quarterbacks during the Snyder era, as well as 10 head coaches, and a .427 winning percentage.