Nationals Need Strong Leadership Beyond New GM Replacement

The Washington Nationals, who reached baseball’s summit with their 2019 World Series win, now stand at a crossroads. The recent firing of longtime general manager Mike Rizzo and manager Dave Martinez has left a gaping hole in leadership.

All of this comes as the team faces big challenges both on and off the field. The Nationals still have unresolved financial disputes and inconsistent decisions at the executive level.

It all boils down to one glaring issue: there’s no forward-facing, authoritative team president. Without this role, the franchise struggles to regain stability or chart a clear course.

The Missing Link: A Team President

The Nationals haven’t had a full-time team president since Stan Kasten left in 2010. That’s not just a cosmetic problem—it’s affected everything from baseball moves to business operations.

Ownership, led by the Lerner family, has mostly stayed silent on major challenges. They’ve handed the reins to executives like Rizzo, but that approach has only widened the disconnect.

With no clear spokesman, transparency has suffered. Fans and even insiders often feel left in the dark on critical topics.

The Need for Leadership in Baseball and Business

This lack of a visible president has caused inefficiencies across the board. Some of the biggest issues include:

• The MASN television revenue dispute: The team’s long, messy fight over broadcast revenues drags on, leaving the Nationals in a tough spot.
• Deferred contract payments: The team made huge financial promises chasing stars, but hasn’t really explained these commitments publicly.
• Lack of major free-agent signings: Since the World Series, there’s been a drought of big-name signings, and fans can’t help but wonder if the team’s truly trying to compete.

It’s hard to tell who’s actually steering the ship. Losing key baseball executives has only made the instability worse.

2026: A Critical Juncture in Broadcasting Rights

In 2026, the Nationals get a shot to renegotiate their broadcasting rights. That’s a huge opportunity to lock down revenue streams and maybe change their financial future.

But here’s the kicker—no one seems to know who’ll lead those talks. Without a president, the team could walk into these negotiations without a plan.

Short-Term Moves Underscore Long-Term Problems

Recent developments haven’t exactly inspired confidence in the team’s leadership. Sure, they landed a jersey patch sponsorship, but no executive appeared at the announcement.

That’s telling. Alan Gottlieb, COO of Lerner Sports Group, splits his time between the Nationals and the family’s real estate ventures, which leaves Nationals Park without steady direction.

Departments are often left guessing about priorities. It’s hard to build momentum when no one knows who’s really in charge.

The Way Forward: A Call to Action

Honestly, the fix seems obvious: hire a full-time, public-facing team president. This person would take charge of both baseball and business, finally giving the organization a single, unified vision.

• Providing clear strategic direction: Making sure every department pulls in the same direction.
• Representing the team in public and media engagements: Building trust with fans and stakeholders by being upfront and visible.
• Taking leadership in renegotiating broadcasting rights: Laying the financial groundwork for future growth.

Ownership’s Role in the Franchise’s Stability

The Lerner family’s reluctance to step forward has put extra pressure on everyone else. By bringing in a strong team president, ownership could finally let executives focus on what matters most—putting a winning product on the field.

Pair that with a new general manager to run baseball ops, and maybe—just maybe—the Nationals can start moving in the right direction again.

Conclusion: A Franchise at a Crossroads

The Washington Nationals sit at a strange crossroads right now. Immense potential? Absolutely. But they’re also wrestling with some pretty deep-rooted issues that start at the top.

Big decisions are on the horizon, especially with those tricky broadcasting rights up for renegotiation. The team really needs a president—someone who can actually bridge the gap between baseball and business.

It feels like the Lerner family has to step up. Will they find that bold, visionary leader who can bring everyone together and get the Nationals back on track? Hard to say, but the moment’s definitely arrived.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Column | The Nationals need more than a new GM. They need a voice.