Fact Check: "Smith was a minority owner of the Washington Commanders until 2021."
What We Know
Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx, was indeed a minority owner of the Washington Commanders, a position he held from 2003 until 2021. According to ESPN, Smith, along with Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar, collectively owned 40% of the franchise before selling their shares in 2021. The ownership group became disenchanted with the team's principal owner, Dan Snyder, which led them to seek a buyer for their stake. In 2020, Smith and his co-owners filed a lawsuit against Snyder, alleging that he interfered with their attempts to sell their shares, which indicates significant tensions within the ownership group during the latter years of their ownership (source-4).
Analysis
The claim that Smith was a minority owner of the Washington Commanders until 2021 is supported by multiple credible sources. For instance, NBC Sports confirms that Smith was a long-time minority owner and played a role in the team's name change discussions in 2020. Additionally, Sports Business Journal reiterates that Smith held this ownership stake until 2021, further validating the timeline of his involvement with the team.
The sources used in this analysis are reputable, with ESPN and NBC Sports being well-known sports news outlets that provide reliable reporting on NFL-related matters. The information presented is consistent across various reports, indicating a high level of confidence in the accuracy of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
Fred Smith was a minority owner of the Washington Commanders from 2003 until 2021. This is corroborated by multiple reliable sources, confirming both the timeline and the nature of his ownership. His departure from the ownership group was marked by internal disputes and legal actions, which further substantiates the claim.
