The Washington Commanders have appointed Mark Clouse as their new team president. Clouse previously served as the CEO of Campbell’s, the renowned consumer products firm that has recently established a sponsorship deal with the Commanders and additional organizations linked to majority owner Josh Harris.
Despite Clouse’s lack of a background in sports business, it seems that Harris believes his extensive corporate experience will be beneficial for the NFL franchise.
“He has a proven ability to strengthen both the organizations he leads and the communities he serves,” Harris stated. “I am confident in Mark’s dedication to building a championship-caliber organization and to supporting football operations in our drive for excellence on the field.”
Following his retirement from the Army in 1996, Clouse embarked on a 30-year career in the food sector, spending two decades in various roles at Kraft Foods (now Mondelez International) and serving as CEO of Pinnacle Foods before its acquisition by Conagra in 2018. He assumed leadership at Campbell’s in early 2019, guiding the brand in its efforts to expand its appeal beyond its signature soup products.
In most professional sports teams, the president oversees business operations, while the general manager handles players, coaches, scouts, and other athletic personnel. In some instances, the roles of president and GM may overlap, similar to the Dallas Cowboys, where owner Jerry Jones wears multiple hats.
“The Commanders’ passionate fanbase, which has stood by this team for decades, deserves nothing less than our unwavering commitment to excellence,” Clouse remarked. “I look forward to supporting ownership, as well as Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, in doing everything in our power to build a championship-caliber organization.”
Clouse takes over the position previously held by Jason Wright, who resigned as president shortly after Josh Harris acquired the franchise in 2023. Wright, who became the first Black team president in NFL history and the fourth former player to obtain such a role, began his tenure in 2020 and was instrumental in the franchise’s rebranding from the Washington Football Team to Commanders in 2022. He had already intended to leave the team by the end of the 2024 NFL season.
Interestingly, one of Clouse’s final actions as Campbell’s CEO was negotiating a substantial sponsorship agreement with the teams under the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment umbrella.
Under this deal, finalized in October, Campbell’s products became associated with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils, their home venue the Prudential Center in Newark, and Joe Gibbs Racing. The agreement also includes the Commanders, which Harris and a separate group acquired in 2023, although HBSE does not own a stake in the team.
Clouse joins the Commanders during a time when the franchise is investigating potential locations for a new stadium, including the possibility of returning to Washington D.C. after playing at Northwest Stadium (formerly known as FedEx Field) in the Maryland suburbs since 1996.
This season, the Commanders have shown renewed vigor on the field, aided by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, currently sporting an 8-5 record and remaining within playoff contention.
Image Source: Washington Commanders @ Instagram
