Washington hires Jason Wright as first black NFL president



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Washington hired Jason Wright as team president, making him the first black team president in NFL history and the fourth former player to step into the role.

“This team, right now, is a perfect opportunity for me,” Wright said in a statement. “The transformation of the Washington football team is happening in all aspects of the organization – from football and operations to branding and culture – and will make us a truly modern and ambitious franchise. want to set new standards for the NFL. “

The team has been without a president since Bruce Allen was sacked after the 2019 season. The team hired coach Ron Rivera and gave him all the power, as owner Dan Snyder said he wanted a centered approach. on the coach.

Hiring Wright won’t change that, as he won’t be involved in football like Allen was during his 10-year reign. Wright will focus solely on the business side, including operations, finance, sales and marketing. Like Rivera, he will report directly to Snyder.

“If I could design a bespoke 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 an unparalleled prospect in the league. We will not rest until we are a championship-caliber team, on and off the field. “

Recently, a longtime former Washington employee said the team needs to add more diverse voices, but also expand their network to seek talent. Too often, said this person, the organization has relied on a small circle to select high-level employees.

Wright’s hiring shows that a wider net has been cast. He had been a partner in the operational practice of McKinsey & Company, a global strategy and management consulting firm based in Washington, DC. He also co-piloted McKinsey’s anti-racism and inclusion strategy and helped create the Black Economic Forum.

In Washington, Wright will run a franchise that has undergone serious changes in recent months. The organization has decided to retire its old name and, for now, will be called the Washington football team. The Washington Post also released a damaging report last month detailing cases of sexual harassment involving five former employees.

In several stories, ESPN has detailed issues regarding what many have called a toxic atmosphere in the building. Among the solutions sought by many employees, current and former, was a strong leader in the role of President and more diverse voices. Washington also hired Julie Donaldson to head its communications division, making her the team’s top leader.

Wright played seven years in the NFL as a running back with four teams, retiring after the 2010 season to attend business school. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in the Northwest, where he remains the sixth seed in school history.

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