Commanders Owner Josh Harris Faces Philly Fans in NFC Championship Showdown

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Josh Harris, the billionaire owner of the Washington Commanders, is no stranger to the passionate—and often hostile—fans of Philadelphia. As his Commanders prepare to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game, Harris knows the atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field will be anything but welcoming.

Harris, who also owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, has experienced the wrath of Philly fans firsthand. The 76ers, currently struggling with a 15–27 record and the absence of injured star Joel Embiid, have left fans frustrated. Meanwhile, the Commanders’ unexpected rise to the NFC Championship has only heightened the tension.

“Look, I think it’s going to be hard. Philly fans are passionate about their team,” Harris said in an interview from Toronto earlier this week. “They make it hard on the opposing teams, and they make it hard on everyone. Yes, I have an extra special place in that.”

Harris’s Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, have defied expectations this season. After purchasing the team for a record $6.05 billion in 2023, Harris has overseen a dramatic turnaround, hiring key personnel like General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn. The team’s success has reignited fan enthusiasm in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

“Our team seems to be able to handle these situations. We play well on the road,” Harris said. “I just have faith that we’re going to go in and do what we have to do. That’s what I’m expecting and hoping for, and I fully expect Philly to unleash on all of us.”

The Eagles, meanwhile, are seeking their second Super Bowl appearance in three years. After a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, Philadelphia is determined to return to the big game. A victory over Harris’s Commanders would be particularly sweet for the city’s fans.

Harris’s dual ownership of the Commanders and 76ers has created a unique dynamic. While he remains committed to both teams, his presence in Philadelphia has become increasingly contentious. “I’m truly passionate about both teams,” Harris said. “When we show up on Sunday, I’m going to be doing everything I can do to hopefully have us do what we have to do, and win.”

As the Commanders prepare for their biggest game in decades, Harris is focused on the task at hand. “It’ll be a very intense day for me,” he said. “I’m going to be fully locked in on supporting Dan and supporting Adam and supporting our players. They’ve got to go do it. It’s not about me.”

With a Super Bowl berth on the line, Harris and the Commanders are ready to face the challenge—and the noise—of Philadelphia’s passionate fan base.