The Washington Football Team has appointed Jason Wright as the first Black team president.
Jason Wright spent seven years as an NFL running back and upon retiring, he earned his MBA with high honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Insiders say Wright will be responsible for leading the organization’s business divisions, including operations, finance, sales, and marketing.
The @WashingtonNFL team has a new team president & he's making history.
Jason Wright is not only the youngest team president in the #NFL, he's the 1st Black person to serve that role. He'll run the business side of the organization.
Our @WTKR3 story: https://t.co/VqrtIUAK37 pic.twitter.com/cbGFHPkG6A
— Adam Winkler (@AdamWinkSports) August 17, 2020
He replaces Bruce Allen, who was dismissed as team president at the end of the 2019 season.According to ESPN, Allen was hired by team owner Dan Snyder as Washington's top executive late in the 2009 season and had served as the primary voice in Washington's football matters since 2013.
"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," said Washington Football Team owner, Dan Snyder. "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."
Wright is a former running back for the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals, posting 1,214 total rushing and receiving yards in his career with five touchdowns, says ESPN. Wright also worked with global strategy and management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company, where he quickly ascended to being named partner in the Operations Practice, based in Washington, D.C.
"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," added Wright. "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."
