For the first time in the Washington Nationals 18+ year existence, they have an official collaboration with the Washington Commanders football team. Both teams will have crossover games with players in attendance and special tailgate packages. The Nats will have a Commanders’ night on September 21 against the Braves, and the Commanders will do the same when they play the Bears on October 5 at FedEx Field. At the September 21 game, Commanders’ owner, Josh Harris, will throw out the first pitch.
What seemed like such a no-brainer marketing idea took over a month to be put into motion after Harris officially purchased the Commanders. TalkNats was quickly on top of the opportunity that was there with the potential to collaborate between both teams with a July 21 tweet.
It is no secret that Mark Lerner was a long-time fan of the Washington Redskins or at least until Dan Snyder’s preplanned soiling of their suite, with spoiled milk, at FedEx Field years might have soured things. This all happened years before the Lerners bought the Nats in 2006. The Lerners supposedly tried to buy the Redskins in competing bids against Snyder from the Cooke estate back in the 1990’s. Imagine how many Super Bowls the Lerners would have brought to D.C. in that timeframe.
“As a lifelong resident of the Washington, D.C., area, it brings me great pleasure to congratulate Josh Harris and his group on taking ownership of the Commanders franchise. We’re looking forward to developing a meaningful relationship with Josh and his team, and this series is the perfect way to begin a new era of professional football in the District. This series is first and foremost a recognition of two tremendous fan bases that help make our area one of the best sports markets in the country, and we’re thrilled to celebrate alongside the Commanders.”
— said Washington Nationals Managing Principal Owner Mark D. Lerner
Commanders Night at Nationals Park highlights:
- Pregame DJ performance
- First pitch by Commanders owner Josh Harris
- Appearance by Commanders mascot Major Tuddy
- Commanders activations and guest appearances throughout the game
- Football-themed GEICO Presidents Race
- 5050 Raffle proceeds benefit the Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation
Commanders season ticket holders will receive a ticket discount. There is also a special all inclusive food and drink tailgate package available on this link.
“This partnership is all about celebrating our fans and the traditions that make D.C. sports so exciting. The Nationals are a great D.C. success story. Not only did the Lerner Family help usher in a new era of baseball fandom across the region, they built a championship-caliber organization that brought World Series baseball back to our Nation’s Capital for the first time since 1933. It is an honor to throw out the first pitch at Nationals Park, and I am thrilled to work with Mark and the Nationals organization as we begin this new chapter for the Commanders and our fans across the DMV. ”
— Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris
Nationals Night at FedExField highlights:
- Appearances by Nationals mascot Screech, as well as the Racing Presidents
- Nationals activations and guest appearances throughout the game
For more information and to buy tickets to “Capital Crossover: Diamonds & Gridiron” games, visit nats.com/Commanders
