ESPN Reporter: ’Pretty Good Chance’ New Ownership Changes Commanders Name

After the sale of the team was approved, Washington’s new ownership could truly allow the franchise to start anew.

On Thursday, NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders to the Josh Harris Group for $6.05 billion.

While appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. took the development a step further when he revealed that the new ownership group could look to change the team’s name.

Eisen bluntly asked the senior writer if he felt the idea was even conceivable.

“I think there’s a pretty good chance of that to erase any part of the Snyder legacy to have a complete do-over,” Van Natta said. “I would not be surprised at all, Rich, to see a name change and a complete rebranding.”

🗣️ @DVNJr

Washington sports’ long nightmare is finally over as today is the last of Daniel Snyder’s ownership of the Commanders — talked with the ESPN senior writer about the day no one ever thought would come:#NFL #HTTC pic.twitter.com/hND7WeW49v

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 20, 2023

Any potential rebrand would come in the wake of the historic sale that followed years of turmoil within the organization. After the sale was reportedly approved, Snyder was fined $60 million by the league following the results of an independent investigation that found wrongdoing related to financial impropriety and workplace misconduct.

After choosing to change names back in 2020, the club played in games solely known as the Washington Football Team for two seasons before rebranding as the Commanders back in February of 2022. 

If Van Natta’s hunch is correct, Washington’s new era could be a truly clean slate.