Commanders Tap Bob Myers, Rick Spielman to Shape Team’s Future
On Monday, the Washington Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera after four straight losing seasons that bottomed out with a 4-13 record and last place finish in the NFC East this year.
Subsequently, Washington owner Josh Harris announced former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers and longtime NFL executive Rick Spielman would serve as part of an advisory committee to identify a head coach and head of football operations. Commanders limited partners Mitch Railes, Magic Johnson and David Blitzer will also be on the committee.
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“The results this season were not good enough, and a strategic shift in leadership and approach is necessary,” Harris said in a statement. “To deliver upon our ultimate goal of becoming an elite franchise and consistently competing for the Super Bowl, there is a lot to do, and first we must establish a strong organizational infrastructure led by the industry’s best and most talented individuals.”
Spielman has 30 years of NFL front office experience, including nine years as Minnesota Vikings GM until leaving in 2021. Myers was hired as the Warriors assistant general manager a year after Joe Lacob and Peter Guber spent a then-NBA record $450 million for the franchise in 2010. He became GM the following year and steered the franchise to six NBA Finals appearances, including four wins before leaving the team after the 2022-23 season when his contract expired. The Warriors also opened the Chase Center in 2020, and the value of the franchise soared to a recent $8.3 billion in Sportico’s NBA team valuations.
“Championship infrastructure begins with a strong ownership group that prioritizes culture and invests in attracting industry’s most talented and innovative leaders,” Myers said in a statement.
Harris and his partners paid a record $6.05 billion for the Commanders last year. Harris is familiar with Myers’ work through his ownership of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers with Blitzer. The Warriors provide a roadmap for what Harris wants to do: Establish a winning product, build a new stadium, and increase the value of the team. In a prospectus shared with potential investors in 2023, the Commanders’ 10-year franchise value had a base case valuation of $15.5 billion to $17.4 billion and an upside of nearly $20 billion with a new building.
The Commanders will have the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which has several potential franchise quarterbacks. The club is also projected to have among the most salary cap space in the NFL.
“Stewarding this franchise is a responsibility we don’t take lightly,” Harris said. “We’re eager to lay the foundation for the next chapter of Commanders football.”
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