Lerners’ Key Move Signals Limited Future Changes for Nationals Ownership

The Washington Nationals are in the middle of a big transition. They recently parted ways with long-time president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez. This move saves the organization $8 million in combined 2026 club options.

Fans and insiders are buzzing about what this means for the team’s future—ownership, operations, and where the Nationals fit in an ever-changing MLB landscape. There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s try to make sense of what’s going on.

What Does This Shake-Up Mean for the Nationals’ Future?

Firing both Rizzo and Martinez points to real turbulence inside one of MLB’s storied franchises. The timing has people wondering if ownership is gearing up for a sale.

Principal owner Mark Lerner, though, says that’s not happening anytime soon. The Lerners did look into selling the team back in 2022, but they didn’t like the market valuations they saw.

The Orioles’ $1.725 billion sale made headlines, but apparently, the Lerners think the Nationals could go for closer to $2.4 billion if they ever decide to pull the trigger.

The Ownership Question: Are the Nationals Truly for Sale?

Mark Lerner keeps saying his family is in it for the “long-term.” Still, rumors swirl, especially with local sports mogul Ted Leonsis reportedly interested.

Leonsis owns the Capitals and Wizards, so his name popping up adds some intrigue. The Lerners, though, aren’t showing their hand. They keep talking about stability, even as speculation ramps up.

Here are a few things that could push them one way or another:

Market Timing and the Value of Waiting

Timing is everything here. Labor agreements and media rights are in flux, which makes the whole MLB landscape feel shaky.

Some industry folks think waiting until after 2028 could mean a bigger payday for the Nationals, especially if things settle down with TV deals and collective bargaining.

The Nationals have to be careful. Financial challenges are piling up, and fan engagement is fading.

The Lerner family doesn’t seem eager to spend big on payroll or splashy hires right now. Their focus feels more on keeping things stable than making a run at contention.

What’s Next for Baseball Operations?

With Rizzo and Martinez out, the Nationals need new leadership. Interim GM Mike DeBartolo looks like a strong candidate for the permanent job.

Finding the right manager is just as important. The team needs leadership to guide a rebuild, especially with revenue dropping and pressure rising.

The Underlying Revenue Problem

The Nationals face a tough financial situation. Attendance is down, and corporate sponsorships are thin.

Even with a prime spot in D.C., they still haven’t landed a stadium naming rights deal. That’s a pretty standard revenue stream these days, so it’s a bit baffling.

Plus, their MASN TV rights deal expires after 2025. Maybe MLB buys those rights back by 2026, but that would mean losing a key chunk of revenue at a tricky time.

Final Thoughts: Not Sold, But Under Pressure

The firing of Rizzo and Martinez has sparked plenty of rumors. Still, the Lerner family seems pretty set on keeping the Nationals—at least for now.

A huge $2.4 billion offer could change their minds. But honestly, they’re waiting to see if they can steady their revenue and figure out the messy labor and media situation.

Right now, the Nationals have to fill some big holes in their leadership. They need to find a solid new GM and manager, and fast.

For fans, it’s tough to feel optimistic. Maybe, though, this shake-up is the reset the team needs to eventually turn things around.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Ghiroli: The Lerners made one big move. Don’t expect Nationals owners to make another