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The Washington Football team made a historic hire Monday morning by naming Jason Wright as its new president according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Background: Jason Wright spent seven years as an NFL RB; he earned his MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He became a partner for the global strategy and management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company. And now he’s president of the WFT. https://t.co/18msTeBtvt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 17, 2020
The former NFL veteran spent seven years in the league as a running back for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Arizona Cardinals and now will have a vital role working directly with owner Dan Snyder. His role will have no affect on the football side of things as head coach Ron Rivera was hired with full power and a coach led approach.
Per John Keim of ESPN
“This team, at this time, is an ideal opportunity for me,” Wright said in a statement. “The transformation of the Washington Football Team is happening across all aspects of the organization — from football to operations to branding to culture — and will make us a truly modern and aspirational franchise. We want to set new standards for the NFL.”
Wright will lead the business side of the franchise and report directly to Dan Snyder. The team has seen many changes in the last year including the firing of former Team President Bruce Allen after 10 years with the team as well as a mascot change.
Congratulations Jason Wright! @michaelstrahan talks one-on-one with the first-ever black @NFL team president who will lead @WashingtonNFL. https://t.co/6P7sdBJ5js pic.twitter.com/BKhd25EN8Y
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 17, 2020
Per John Keim of ESPN
“If I could custom design a leader for this important time in our history, it would be Jason,” Snyder said in a statement. “His experience as a former player, coupled with his business acumen, gives him a perspective that is unrivaled in the league. We will not rest until we are a championship caliber team, on and off the field.”
Washington also recently hired Julie Donaldson to lead its communication division, and as a result, became the league’s first female lead broadcaster. Her new role made her the highest paid female executive in the league. Going into the 2020 season, it’s hard to argue that the Washington Football Team isn’t one of the most diverse off the field and they are hoping this will lead to success on the field.