Washington made a “surprise announcement” this morning by naming former NFLer Jason Wright has the team’s new President. The move, which was unveiled on ABC’s “GMA,” makes Wright the “first Black person to be president of an NFL team.” Washington has been without a president since Owner Dan Snyder fired Bruce Allen on Dec. 30 (WASHINGTON POST, 8/17). The 38-year-old Wright, who has worked the past seven years at consulting firm McKinsey & Co., becomes the “youngest team president in the league.” Wright has “no experience working at an NFL team, though he was his team’s union representative for two years heading into the lockout" in '11 (N.Y. TIMES, 8/17).
Michael Strahan started his "GMA" interview by noting Wright “will make history” as the NFL's "first-ever black team president.” Wright: “It’s obviously very personal for me. I’m a football player first … and then became a businessman. I cut my teeth in some of the best business schools. I’ve been helping some of the most complex and important organizations around the world transform over the last few years. For me, it’s personal, an opportunity to bring together my two worlds in a really unique way at a really unique time.” Wright added, “The fact that I happen to be black and the most qualified person for this is a boost” (“Good Morning America,” ABC, 8/17).
