LARGO, Md. — Commanders fans who talked to WUSA9 expressed excitement about the possibility of a sale, particularly a transfer that would take Dan Snyder out of the NFL ownership picture completely.
“I'm happy it's definitely a sigh of relief,” said Prince George's County Resident Brian Burns.
“It's a beautiful day in the D.C. area," exclaimed Eric McLean while laughing.
Warren Palmer said he has been a fan his entire life.
“I mean, you when you look at the success of the team over the years, it's been kind of downhill and keeps going down," Palmer said.
"So I think it's a great idea. I think it's time to bring a new leader in.”
Many fans said the Snyder era alienated friends and family members, who drifted away from the team.
"When you see the stadium, that was the most disappointing to me, is when you tune into the game and you don't see the people in the stadium," McLean said. "You see you see the opposite team's fans”
Ed Sifers of Rockville wore a Ravens shirt Wednesday. He said he lost enthusiasm for Washington Football in the late '90s, as the Ravens make their rise.
If Snyder sells the team Sifers said, "I probably won't change the shirt but I'll root for both teams."
Other fans marveled at the estimated value of the Commanders franchise.
Forbes estimated the value of the team at $5.6 billion and ranked the Commanders as the sixth most valuable NFL franchise, despite the second-lowest attendance in the league last season.
Many fans said they are convinced it will take new ownership to fix the many challenges facing the team including cementing a new stadium deal in the near future.