Mitchell Rales: The New Player in the Commanders Sale Saga The Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Washington Redskins, have been embroiled in a long and complicated sale process that has attracted several potential buyers. One of them is Josh Harris, a co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils, who has been pursuing a deal with Daniel Snyder, the current owner of the Commanders. But Harris is not alone in his bid. According to multiple reports1234, he has teamed up with Mitchell Rales, a billionaire businessman from Potomac, Maryland, who is a co-founder of Danaher Corporation5, one of the largest companies in Washington D.C. Who is Mitchell Rales? Mitchell Rales is a self-made tycoon who started his career as a salesman for his father’s real estate company. He later joined forces with his brother Steven to form Equity Group Holdings, an investment firm that acquired stakes in various industrial and technology companies. In 1984, they founded Danaher Corporation6, a conglomerate that specializes in science, technology and innovation. Danaher owns several well-known brands such as Beckman Coulter, Leica Microsystems and Pall Corporation. According to Forbes6, Mitchell Rales has a net worth of $5 billion as of March 2023. Rales is also known for his philanthropy and art collection. He established the Glenstone Foundation6, which operates a museum and sculpture park in Potomac that showcases modern and contemporary art. He also donated $10 million to Georgetown University’s medical school in 20196. Why does he want to buy the Commanders? Rales has not publicly commented on his interest in buying the Commanders, but some sources have speculated that he may have personal or professional reasons for joining Harris’s group. One possible reason is that he is a fan of football and sports in general. He played football at Walt Whitman High School6 and was reportedly interested in buying the Baltimore Orioles baseball team in 19936. He also owns several horses that compete in equestrian events. Another possible reason is that he sees an opportunity to leverage his business acumen and connections to revitalize the Commanders franchise. The team has been struggling on and off the field for years, facing controversies over its former name, sexual harassment allegations against its executives and poor performance on the field. Rales may be able to help turn things around by bringing his expertise in innovation, management and culture change to the organization. He may also be able to use his influence in Washington D.C. to secure favorable deals for stadium development or sponsorship agreements. What are his chances of buying the Commanders? The sale of the Commanders is still subject to several legal hurdles and uncertainties. Snyder has been trying to buy out his minority partners who own 40% of the team but have been locked in a dispute with him over valuation and governance issues. Snyder has also faced pressure from some NFL owners who are unhappy with his handling of various scandals involving the team. The NFL has launched an investigation into Snyder’s conduct and could impose sanctions or even force him to sell if it finds evidence of wrongdoing. Harris’s group reportedly offered $4 billion for Snyder’s stake but was rejected by him last year1. It is unclear whether they have increased their offer or whether Snyder has changed his mind since then. However, some analysts believe that adding Rales to Harris’s group could boost their chances of striking a deal with Snyder or convincing other NFL owners to approve their bid. Rales brings more financial firepower, local credibility and strategic vision to Harris’s group which could make them more attractive as potential buyers.
Defeating the Curse 