Washington owners hire firm to explore team sale
After repeatedly saying he would never consider giving up the football team he rooted for as a child and has owned for more than two decades, Dan Snyder and wife Tanya have taken the first step toward selling the Washington Commanders.
The team announced the surprising decision Wednesday that the Snyders hired Bank of America Securities to “consider potential transactions.” Asked if the Snyders were considering selling part or all of the team, a spokesperson said, “We are exploring all options.”
Retaining the investment bank’s services could mean a full sale amid mounting pressure and multiple ongoing investigations or bringing on new investors more than 18 months after the Snyders bought out the previous minority owners. It’s the first indication Snyder has given that he’d even consider selling the team.
The Commanders are worth an estimated $5.6 billion, according to Forbes.
WATSON TO START VS. TEXANS AFTER SUSPENSION, GM SAYS >>
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will return from his 11game NFL suspension for sexual misconduct allegations and start in Houston against his former team on Dec. 4, general manager Andrew Berry reiterated.
During his bye week news conference, Berry said Watson has “done everything
and more” since returning to the team’s facility last month and will play immediately when he’s eligible next month.
Pro basketball
IRVING TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR TWEET, WILL DONATE $500,000 >> Kyrie Irving said he takes responsibility for the negative impact on the Jewish community that was caused by his appearing to support an antisemitic work, and he and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 toward causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in their communities.
Irving, in a joint statement with the Nets and Anti-Defamation League, said he opposed all forms of hatred and oppression. The point guard had drawn criticism around the NBA — including from Nets owner Joe Tsai — for posting a link to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake
Up Black America” on his Twitter feed last week.
College basketball
KANSAS SUSPENDS SELF FOR 4 GAMES IN ONGOING INFRACTIONS CASE >> Kansas suspended Hall of Fame coach Bill Self and top assistant Kurtis Townsend for the first four games of the season, along with imposing several recruiting restrictions, as part of the fallout from a lengthy FBI investigation into college basketball corruption.
Norm Roberts will be the acting coach for the defending national champions beginning with their opener Monday night against Omaha. Self and Townsend also will miss games against North Dakota State, Southern Utah and No. 7 Duke in the Champions Classic.
Self and Townsend will rejoin the team to face North Carolina State at the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas on Nov. 23.