It’s been two months since it was reported that the Lerner family began exploring a sale of the Washington Nationals. There have been rumors of several local business owners being mentioned as potential buyers for the Washington Nationals. Obviously, we all know that the current owner of the Washington Wizards, Capitals, the Washington Mystics, and Captial One area, Ted Leonsis seems very interested in purchasing the Washington Nationals.
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However, according to Axios, it looks like there is another possible owner/bidder for the Washington Nationals. In today's "Axios D.C." email newsletter, they raise the possibility of a new potential owner in Private equity billionaire Joshua Harris.
From Axios: "Private equity billionaire Joshua Harris is among those kicking the tires. It would be a homecoming for the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils: He grew up in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and went to The Field School before making his fortune on Wall Street. He owns homes in Miami and New York." Additionally, NBC Sports recently reported that Joshua Harris was interested in purchasing the Denver Broncos. "Per a source with knowledge of the dynamics, 76ers co-owner Josh Harris made it clear to those involved in the process that his group would pay $5 billion for the team if they knew that $5 billion would get the deal done. However, Harris was not given that assurance."
One outstanding issue that seems to be complicating the sale and any potential bid of the team is the MASN TV deal and contract. As we all know, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network owns the local TV rights for broadcasting Nationals games, but the broadcaster is majority-controlled by the Baltimore Orioles and has been the subject of litigation over profit-sharing between the two franchises for years now and with what seems no end in sight.