Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta 'puts in a $5.5bn offer to buy Dan Snyder's Washington Commanders' - after report Amazon billionaire was given the cold shoulder from auction
- Tilman Fertitta, who's estimated net worth is $8.1bn, is reportedly now candidate
- Josh Harris, owner of the NBA's 76ers & NHL's Devils, is also in contention to buy
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Tilman Fertitta - the owner of the Houston Rockets - is the latest name to enter the bidding war for the Washington Commanders, submitting an estimated offer of around $5.5billion' for the NFL franchise, according to reports.
Fertitta, whose net worth is estimated to be $8.1billion, joins a list of prospective buyers that already includes Josh Harris, owner of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils, per ESPN, and Washington Post and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
The 'world's richest restaurateur', as Forbes once called him, isn't believed to be the leading candidate to buy the franchise from controversial owner Daniel Snyder, per The Washington Post, who's looking to sell the franchise for $7bn.
A source familiar with sale proceedings informed the outlet that things are 'at a little bit of a standstill' with the Texas-based billionaire, who is believed to have visited the team's training facility in Ashburn, Virginia.
Snyder's been under increasing pressure to sell since the end of the 2022-23 NFL season, in the wake of inquiries into sexual harassment, hostile workplace and fraud.
![Tilman Fertitta - owner of the Rockets - reportedly placed a bid of $5.5bn for the Commanders](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/26/20/68103609-11795723-Tilman_Fertitta_owner_of_the_Rockets_placed_a_bid_slight_above_5-a-21_1677444825114.jpg)
Tilman Fertitta - owner of the Rockets - reportedly placed a bid of $5.5bn for the Commanders
![Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder is facing calls from fans and the NFL to sell](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/26/20/68103611-11795723-image-a-25_1677443152687.jpg)
Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder is facing calls from fans and the NFL to sell
The 58-year-old, who listed his 'usual residence' in the UK at the start of this year, is also facing calls from fans to give up the franchise due to a lack of success sustained by the team over recent seasons.
The Commanders last reached the NFL's postseason at the end of the 2020 season, when they lost the wildcard round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They've been in the playoffs a total of 25 times in their 91 seasons and six times in 24 years under Snyder's ownership since 1999, when he bought the NFL franchise for $800million - the most expensive transaction in sporting history at the time.
Fertitta is the owner and CEO of Fertitta Entertainment Inc., which owns a portfolio of companies in the dining and hospital industry, including Landry's and the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos.
He purchased the Rockets from Leslie Alexander in 2017 for $2.2bn and oversaw the James Harden era before the guard was traded to Brooklyn. The Rockets have been in rebuilding mode ever since and finished last of the Western Conference for the last three seasons.
Harris toured the Commanders facility, just like Fertitta, and is the co-founder of Apollo Global Management. He is also a general partner of Crystal Palace in the English Premier League and is a limited partner in the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.
Harris is a DC native and attended the Field School in Northwest Washington, per the Washington Post. His estimated net worth is believed to be $6.2bn, according to Forbes.
Harris was in the running to purchase the Denver Broncos last year but missed out to a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton.
![Private equity investor and 76ers owner Josh Harris is also bidding to buy the Commanders](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/26/20/68103653-11795723-image-a-26_1677443262471.jpg)
Private equity investor and 76ers owner Josh Harris is also bidding to buy the Commanders
![Snyder snubbed Jeff Bezos due to his ties to the Washington Post and its criticism of the team](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/26/20/68103783-11795723-image-a-27_1677443470424.jpg)
Snyder snubbed Jeff Bezos due to his ties to the Washington Post and its criticism of the team
Bezos, 59, hired New York City-based investment firm Allen & Company to explore a purchase of the Commanders after it handled the sales of the Carolina Panthers and the Broncos within the past year. It remains unknown if the billionaire will make a bid for the team.
In November, the Commanders shared the team's listing on the market after Snyder and his wife, Tanya, the team's CEO, hired Bank of America to lead the sale of the franchise.
Snyder reportedly 'prevented' Bezos from placing a bid for the team in January, The New York Post reported. Bezos owns The Washington Post, which has been vocal of its criticism of the Snyder era in the nation's capital over the last 24 years.
Meanwhile, it remains unclear if Snyder will only sell a share of the franchise or all of it. The team's sale is taking place as the NFL conducts its second investigation of the franchise's workplace, led by attorney Mary Jo White.
The US attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Virginia is also looking into its own allegations of financial improprieties concerning the NFL franchise.
The team has denied any wrongdoing related to both investigations.
![Washington's failed to reach the postseason since 2020 when they were a wildcard exit](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/02/26/20/68103721-11795723-Washington_s_failed_to_reach_the_postseason_since_2020_when_they-a-22_1677444825126.jpg)
Washington's failed to reach the postseason since 2020 when they were a wildcard exit
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