What changed?
Peter Rosenberg, a lifelong Washington Commanders fan, faced a dilemma last Sunday. While he and his wife, Natalie, were hosting a baby shower to celebrate the impending arrival of their first child, it conflicted with a crucial Commanders game. A native of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Rosenberg has supported the team through thick and thin, but the excitement has been renewed this season as the Commanders have shown improvement on the field after years of disappointment. Despite the joyous occasion of the baby shower, Rosenberg couldn’t help but follow the game on his iPad. With the Commanders almost blowing a 17-point lead to the New Orleans Saints, he was anxious, only relaxing when the team secured a win. Once the victory was secured, he finally felt he could fully enjoy the event with his wife and guests.
Rosenberg’s experience reflects the feelings of many fans who have lived through years of mediocrity and scandal under former owner Dan Snyder. Once a dominant franchise with three Super Bowl victories, the Commanders’ reputation and performance significantly declined after Snyder took ownership in 1999. Under his leadership, the team struggled with on-field performances and became embroiled in numerous controversies, both on and off the field. Fans, like actor Jeffrey Wright, who had once cherished the team’s legacy, found it difficult to continue supporting the Commanders as Snyder’s tenure wore on. Wright, who had fond memories of attending games with his mother, ultimately let go of her season tickets in 2019, feeling the franchise had lost its soul.
The team’s fall under Snyder’s reign was marked by poor management, a lack of playoff success, and repeated scandals, including accusations of workplace misconduct and the infamous controversy over the team’s name, which was finally changed in 2020. These issues contributed to a widespread loss of fan loyalty, with attendance plummeting and merchandise sales dwindling. By the time Snyder sold the team in 2023, the fan base had been significantly alienated, leaving many with a bitter sense of abandonment.
When Snyder agreed to sell the Commanders for $6 billion to a new ownership group led by Josh Harris in 2023, it brought a sense of hope to the long-suffering fans. Harris, along with his partners, made swift changes, including hiring new management and coaching staff. One of the most significant moves was selecting Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL draft. Daniels has lived up to expectations, showcasing his skills with impressive statistics in his first season. His performance, including a memorable game-winning Hail Mary against the Chicago Bears, has reignited excitement among Commanders fans, signaling the dawn of a new era for the franchise.
The team’s revival under new ownership has energized the fan base, bringing back hope for a successful future. For long-time supporters like Rosenberg and Wright, the team’s resurgence represents a new chapter filled with potential, reversing years of frustration and disappointment. The Commanders, once again, have fans believing in the possibility of a winning culture, something that had seemed impossible during Snyder’s tenure.
