Washington makes Jason Wright the first Black team president in NFL history
The Washington Football team not only got their first-year head coach, Ron Rivera, some much-needed help on the business side of leading the organization, but they also made history by hiring Jason Wright to serve as team president.
At the spry age of 38 years old, the former NFL running back becomes not only the youngest team president in the league currently and just the fourth former player to serve in the position, but his appointment marks the first time an African American has ever held the position in the entire 1000 history of the league.
Wright’s duty is to run Washington’s business affairs which include operations, sales, finance, and marketing departments.
“If I could custom design a leader for this important time in our history, it would be Jason. His experience as a former player, coupled with his business acumen, gives him a perspective that is unrivaled in the league,” owner Dan Snyder said in a statement. “We will not rest until we are a championship-caliber team, on and off the field. Jason has a proven track record in helping businesses transform culturally, operationally, and financially.”
“He is a proactive and assertive advocate for inclusion of all people and will set new standards for our organization, and for the league. There could not be a better duo than Jason Wright and Coach Ron Rivera as we usher in a new era for Washington Football.”
During his seven seasons in the league, Wright played for the San Fransisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals where he served as the team’s captain and labor rep during the 2011 lockout. He complied 1,214 yards and five touchdowns from scrimmage.
Following his retirement, he earned an MBA from the University of Chicago. Wright worked at McKinsey & Company, a global strategy, and management consulting firm based in D.C., where he was named partner in the Operations Practice.
“From football to business school to McKinsey, I have always enjoyed building exciting new things and taking on the hard, seemingly intractable challenges that others may not want to tackle. I especially love doing this with organizations who have deep history and values that set a firm foundation. 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. As a DMV local and fan, I’ve been watching this team with interest long before I knew I could become part of it. I believe in Dan Snyder’s vision for this organization, and I am looking forward to partnering with Coach Rivera, who is a champion for the players and one of the great minds in football. Together, we will define the future of the Washington Football Team.”
While the team is still without a general manager both Rivera and Wright will report directly to Synder. Wright will be responsible for the business aspect of the organization while Rivera will continue to oversee and be in charge of all football decisions on the field.
“I remember Jason as a player, and it is no surprise to me that he went on to achieve the caliber of success that Jason has in his time in the business world,” Rivera said. “From my conversations with his former teammates and coaches plus my own with Jason, I have come to see that we share many of the same core values and beliefs. Because he knows the NFL firsthand and how fast it moves, I am excited to have him on board to head up the front office and operations, so that I can focus on what’s most important to the fans in our community — winning football games.”
Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves and chairman Harry Carson issued a statement Monday praising the hire.
“The Fritz Pollard Alliance commends the Washington Football Team for their selection of Jason Wright as President. It is an historic event as Wright becomes the first Black team president in NFL history. The selection is the result of an inclusive process that recognizes the talents that people of color can offer. We hope that it signifies a true change for the manner in which leadership is chosen in the NFL.”
Wright will also be responsible with leading the charge for what will be a long and arduous rebrand for a franchise that has had its reputation dragged through the mud this offseason after being financially pressured from sponsors to finally move on from the derogatory nickname that they had been using since 1931 and is still dealing with the public relation nightmarish aftermath from the Washington Post article that detailed a disgusting culture of sexual misconduct in the workplace.
His arrival will take business operation off Rivera’s already heavy plate so that he can get back to solely focusing on day to day football operations and establishing a winning culture within the locker room and on the field. Washington was once one of the most successful and respected franchises in the league and Snyder and company are hoping their new dynamic duo can help usher in a new era of prosperity for a downtrodden organization that doesn’t even have a team name or mascot yet.
