On Thursday, the Washington Commanders announced that team president Jason Wright is no longer in that role and that he will leave the organization after the 2024 season.
“This feels like the right moment for me to explore my next leadership opportunity,” said Wright in a statement. “I’m extremely grateful to my Commanders colleagues, our fans, and this community for all that we have accomplished these past four years and am looking forward to the start of a very successful season for the burgundy and gold.”
Wright became the first Black team president in NFL history when Washington hired him in 2020 and was the youngest team president as well. He will remain in a senior advisory role for the remainder of the upcoming season and help the team with naming rights for the stadium as well as help the team find a new stadium site.
Wright’s tenure came under former owner Dan Snyder, who was facing allegations of allowing a toxic culture to grow in the organization, which included accusations of sexual harassment.
The young president was immediately thrust into the fire and tasked with changing the culture, improving ticket sales and re-establishing a connection with a fanbase that had become disgruntled with Snyder.
Wright was also involved in the team’s name change to the Commanders and was seen by many as the one taking the brunt of the heat facing the team that started before he was hired.
Since the team was acquired by Josh Harris in July 2023, optimism about the franchise’s future has grown, sponsors have returned and ticket sales have improved.
But with new ownership, Wright’s time with the team was believed to be coming to an end.
“Jason has made a remarkable impact on the Commanders organization since he joined four years ago,” said Harris in a statement. “He stepped in at a time of immense challenge and has led this organization through an incredible transformation that set that stage for everything that is to come. I am extremely grateful to Jason for his partnership to me and the rest of the ownership group over the past year. His guidance has been invaluable and his leadership has helped reshape our culture.”
Although Wright won’t get to see all of his goals come to fruition, he made history with the organization, and that can never be taken away.
“We have taken this franchise through a period of immense challenge and uncertainty and have transformed it,” said Wright. “We’ve set the table for an incredibly bright future under Josh’s leadership. Over just the past year, we’ve welcomed record numbers of fans back into our building, made meaningful improvements to the fan experience, reengaged with corporate partners, and reconnected with the community. Most importantly, we reestablished a culture of respect in this organization.”
