Jason Wright has just been named Washington Football team President and he is the first black team President in NFL history and one of the youngest. Washington Football team was formally called the Washington Redskins and this move is just part of their overall transition into a new team.
Wright replaces Bruce Allen, who was fired after the 2019 season.
“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.”
The 38-year-old Wright played seven seasons in the NFL as an undrafted running back for the 49ers, Falcons, Browns, and Cardinals. He retired after the 2011 season and earned his MBA from the University of Chicago.
He was most recently a partner in the operations practice at McKinsey & Company, where he also helped create the Black Economic Institute and co-piloted their anti-racism and inclusion strategy.
Washington Football Team appointed Jason Wright as team president in a historic hire. Wright will be responsible for leading the organization’s business divisions, including operations, finance, sales, and marketing. Wright now becomes the first black president of an NFL team. pic.twitter.com/Qoti1iBKAk
Wright will be responsible for leading Washington’s business divisions, including operations, finance, sales, and marketing. It comes at a pivotal time, as the franchise has done away with its old team name and is trying to recover from a Washington Post report that accused the team of sexual harassment and creating a toxic culture.
“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,” team owner Dan Snyder said in a statement. “We will not rest until we are a championship-caliber team, on and off the field.”
While most on Twitter are applauding the move, some question the intentions of the NFL alluding it to be just a political move on their part. However, Jason Wright is very qualified to hold the position political or not.
This Twitter user posted his accolades in his defense:
Washington Football Team appointed Jason Wright as team president in a historic hire. Wright will be responsible for leading the organization’s business divisions, including operations, finance, sales, and marketing. Wright now becomes the first black president of an NFL team. pic.twitter.com/Qoti1iBKAk
Huge respect and congrats to Jason Wright, first Black team president in the NFL’s history. He’s getting grilled with tough questions on ESPN and answering them all tremendously. pic.twitter.com/xUqzpHVp2w
Agree. I’ll even attempt to answer the question. Jason Wright is an outstanding guy. Smart as hell – scored off the charts on MCAT as his original plan was to go to medical school. Has an MBA from University of Chicago.
