Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos speaks at the Amazon re:MARS convention, in Las Vegas. Amazon said Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021, that Bezos is stepping down as CEO later in the year, a role he’s had since he founded the company nearly 30 years ago. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
- Is Amazon founder Jeff Bezos positioning himself to purchase an NFL team?
- A prop wager is favoring the Amazon founder buying the Washington Football Team
- There are published reports that Bezos already had discussions about acquiring a share of Washington’s team
Jeff Bezos reportedly wants in on some NFL action. The NFL, it seems, is receptive to the idea.
The next step then is to arrange a marriage between the Amazon founder and a franchise in the league.
A prop wager is already offering odds on which NFL club might become the team owned by Bezos. The Washington Football Team is the +120 choice in this betting market among the clubs listed.
Which NFL Team Will Jeff Bezos Buy in 2021 or 2022?
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Washington Football Team | +120 |
| Denver Broncos | +425 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +700 |
| New Orleans Saints | +750 |
| Does not buy a team in 2021 or 2022 | -110 |
Odds as of Mar. 1st.
However, Bezos not owning an NFL team in 2021 or 2022 is the favorite in the odds at -110.
Bezos Positioning Himself for NFL Ownership
Either Bezos or Tesla founder Elon Musk rate as the richest man in the world. It generally depends on how their stocks are doing in the market on that particular day.
If you’re the NFL, why wouldn’t you want someone like Bezos as part of your ownership fraternity? He’s a media and sales savant, after all.
Acquiring one of the 32 NFL franchises is about as close as a person in the USA can come to achieving status as American royalty. It’s why Donald Trump so desperately wanted to become part of this elite group – and why NFL owners resoundingly rejected The Donald.
Jeff Bezos could buy the entire NFL, dissolve it, and still be the ninth richest person alive. https://t.co/xTUuniZqNT
— Zach Barnett (@zach_barnett) February 23, 2021
Imagine Trump’s chagrin if the NFL were to welcome his nemesis, Bezos, into the clique?
As publisher of the Washington Post, Bezos definitely didn’t make himself welcome in the Oval Office when Trump was President. However, Bezos is making himself quite comfortable in the nation’s capital.
He moved into a 27,000-square-foot mansion in Washington. Bezos has invested some $12 million into renovating the place since taking up residence there in 2016.
He Covets Washington
Given his druthers, there’s no doubt that Washington is the franchise that Bezos seeks to add to his many acquisitions. There are reports that he’s already held meetings with Daniel Snyder, the majority owner of the Washington Football Team.
Through his attorney, Bezos has spoken with the Baltimore-based sports investment banking firm Moag & Co. That company is in charge of the sale of a portion of the Washington franchise. Snyder has stated that he has no interest or desire to sell the team.
NFL: @mikeblewitt & @GOFORTHE2 on the rumors that Jeff Bezos is interested in purchasing The Washington Football Team.#NFL #NFLTwitter #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/ox9Tas40MN
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) March 1, 2021
Bezos purchased the Post in 2013. Four years later, he put an Amazon headquarters in nearby Arlington, Va.
Bezos recently stepped down as CEO of Amazon. Had he retained that position, it might’ve placed him in a conflict of interest as Amazon pursues NFL broadcasting contracts.
Super Bowl 56 Odds Tracker
It’s Going to Happen
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once stated that he’d carry Bezos piggyback into an NFL meeting if he was there to purchase a franchise. That’s how much they want him as part of their team.
It’s entirely understandable. Bezos can pay whatever price for a team. That helps every owner because it would instantly increase the value of all of their franchises.
Three minority owners, who own 40% of the Washington Football Team, are looking to sell. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is interested. What do you think of the idea? #GetUpDC pic.twitter.com/sQBaPTgZou
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) February 23, 2021
If he can’t get Washington, there are two other intriguing possibilities. The Denver Broncos ownership is uncertain. The heirs of owner Pat Bowlen, who died in 2019, are battling over control of the franchise and might be forced to sell.
At the other end of the scale, the family of Paul Allen, who assumed ownership of the Seattle Seahawks when he died in 2018, appears to have little or no interest in operating an NFL team. They might sell simply because it’s not something they want to keep long-term.
Is Bezos Willing to Wait?
Is Bezos a patient man? If he wants Washington, and he’s willing to wait, it could happen.
#Panthers owner David Tepper is the richest #NFL owner with a net worth of about $13 billion.
Jeff Bezos has an estimated net worth of $184 BILLION.
He’s 15x richer than Tepper. https://t.co/FQSgvBFem9
— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) February 22, 2021
Snyder hasn’t made any friends among NFL owners with the numerous scandals caused under his ownership. They may eventually force him out, although Snyder isn’t the type of person who figures to go quickly, or willingly.
Pick: Bezos does not buy a team in 2021 or 2022 (-110)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.