Josh Harris recently added the Commanders to his sports portfolio, which already includes the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils. While it wasn’t initially clear how involved he would be in managing the team, it turns out Harris has been more involved than many people expected. Most owners are more involved in decision-making than fans and media realize, often preferring to deflect blame onto others when things go wrong.
This increased involvement from Harris has the potential to create problems within the organization. Being a multi-billionaire owner means that employees pay close attention to his every move, listening carefully to what he says and trying to anticipate his desires in order to secure their jobs. It’s a dynamic reminiscent of the “calzone effect” George Costanza experienced while working for the Yankees – where the owner’s preferences reign supreme.
As the Commanders consider their options for selecting a quarterback, Harris’s influence is likely to become more pronounced. Harris has met with quarterbacks during the Scouting Combine and is acutely aware of the importance of the decision ahead. Being the ultimate decision-maker for the team, his preferences will hold significant weight in the decision-making process. Unless the General Manager is willing to risk his career by going against Harris’s wishes, it’s likely that the team will ultimately select a quarterback that Harris approves of and supports.
In the past, we have seen situations where team owners have influenced draft decisions, such as with Bryce Young in Carolina and Johnny Manziel in Cleveland. The Commanders’ upcoming draft pick will undoubtedly be someone that Harris wants or at least approves of. The direction the team takes in the draft will ultimately be shaped by Harris’s preferences and input.