Todd Boehly, the part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers, is reportedly in talks to buy the Washington Spirit, according to the Washington Post.
The billionaire made a “credible offer” to buy the team from Steve Baldwin, who recently resigned from his position as the club’s managing partner amid front office turmoil.
Spirit ownership has been engaged in a public fight for the club, with players calling on Baldwin to sell the team to co-owner Y. Michele Kang. A potential deal between Baldwin and Kang was reportedly close to fruition multiple times, only for Baldwin to rescind the offer, which was “at an overall $22 million valuation,” per The Athletic. According to the Washington Post, an ownership group made up of Spirit investors is also considering an additional offer.
The move comes as the team continues to deal with the fallout from an independent investigation uncovering an abusive and toxic work culture. The 60-page report corroborated player accounts of verbal abuse and racist behavior from coach Richie Burke, who was terminated for cause following the investigation. President of sporting operations Larry Best also reportedly stepped down after findings showed he was aware of Burke’s behavior.
Boehly is chairman and chief executive of Eldridge Industries, based in Greenwich, Conn., and has been a part-owner of the Dodgers since 2012 and Los Angeles Sparks since 2014. He recently acquired a percentage stake in the Lakers in July.