Former NFL Minority Owner Died At 80 On Saturday originally appeared on The Spun.
This weekend also saw the passing of Fred Smith, a massive name in the business world and a former minority owner of Washington’s football franchise.
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Smith, the founder and former CEO of shipping giant FedEx, was also the father of ex-Falcons coach and current Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith. He was 80-years-old.
“The Washington Commanders mourn the passing of Frederick W. Smith, FedEx founder and executive chairman,” the team shared in a statement. “Mr. Smith was a highly respected philanthropist and innovative businessman whose investments once included a minority stake in our team.”
“He also proudly served our country in the US Marine Corps,” Washington noted. “We send our sincere condolences to Mr. Smith’s family and loved ones, as well as our friends across the FedEx organization.”
Smith first acquired his stake in the Commanders under Dan Snyder back in 2003 after previously attempting to secure an expansion franchise for the city of Memphis in 1993.
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Several years later, FedEx signed a 27-year, $205 million naming rights deal for Washington’s stadium which ended in 2024 when new ownership took over the team.
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: A general view of the stadium before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Smith’s fingerprints can also be seen in basketball with the Memphis Grizzlies and their FedEx Forum, as well as the Memphis Tigers’ men’s basketball team.
Additionally, Smith was instrumental in Washington dropping its Redskins nickname and the eventual ousting of Snyder as majority owner.
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Former NFL Minority Owner Died At 80 On Saturday first appeared on The Spun on Jun 22, 2025
This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.