The Washington Commanders have recently announced the appointment of Mark Clouse as their new team president, creating quite a buzz among fans and analysts alike. Clouse isn’t your typical choice for this position—his background is rooted firmly in the corporate arena rather than sports. Before taking on his new role, he served as the CEO of Campbell’s, the well-known consumer products company famous for its soups and a key player in the food industry. Interestingly, it was during his tenure at Campbell’s that he sealed a new sponsorship deal with the Commanders, along with other sports teams associated with Josh Harris, the franchise’s majority owner.
You might be wondering what makes Harris confident in someone without a traditional sports background. The answer lies in Clouse’s extensive corporate experience and a track record of operational excellence that Harris believes can be a game changer for the Commanders. In his words, “He has a proven ability to strengthen both the organizations he leads and the communities he serves.” With a commitment to building a top-tier organization and a focus on success on the field, Clouse is stepping into some big shoes with high expectations from fans eager for a revamp in the team.
A bit of context: after retiring from the Army in 1996, Clouse spent the next 30 years climbing the ranks of the food industry. He spent two decades at Kraft Foods (now Mondelez International) and later led Pinnacle Foods until its acquisition by Conagra in 2018. When he took the helm at Campbell’s in early 2019, he worked diligently to broaden the brand’s appeal, moving it beyond its well-known soup products, indicating his innovative mindset.
Typically, the president of a professional sports team focuses on the business side, overseeing marketing, sales, and brand development, while the general manager handles the more athletic elements—think player acquisitions, coaching staff, and scouting. It’s a division of labor that allows for specialization. However, in some organizations, these roles can overlap. Just look at the Dallas Cowboys, where owner Jerry Jones takes on multiple responsibilities, showing that sometimes the lines blur between business and sport.
Clouse echoes the passion of Commanders fans—and let’s be honest, they’ve endured a rollercoaster of emotions over the decades. “The Commanders’ passionate fanbase, which has stood by this team for decades, deserves nothing less than our unwavering commitment to excellence,” he stated. He plans to work closely with ownership, including Adam Peters and Dan Quinn, to transform this franchise into a championship-caliber organization that fans can rally behind.
His arrival comes after Jason Wright resigned from the same position just after Harris’s acquisition of the team in 2023. Wright made history as the first Black team president in the NFL and was pivotal in the team’s rebranding from the Washington Football Team to the Commanders. He had plans to depart by the end of the 2024 NFL season but decided to step down sooner than expected.
It’s telling that one of Clouse’s last major actions at Campbell’s was to negotiate a substantial sponsorship arrangement with teams owned by Harris and his group. This October deal linked Campbell’s to several sports teams under the Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment umbrella, including the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils, along with the home venue, Prudential Center. Remarkably, this agreement also encompassed the Commanders, signaling how interconnected the worlds of sports and corporate sponsorships can be.
As Clouse settles into his new role, he faces the challenge of not just managing business operations but also steering the Commanders through ongoing discussions about potential new stadium locations. There’s talk of possibly returning to Washington D.C. after the franchise has spent decades at Northwest Stadium (formerly known as FedEx Field) in Maryland.
On the field, hope springs eternal. The Commanders have begun to showcase a fresh energy this season, buoyed by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, winning 8 out of 13 games and keeping playoff hopes alive. Fans are eager to see how Clouse’s leadership influences both the business and athletic sides of the organization in what many hope is a turning point for the team.
Here’s to new beginnings and a bright future for the Washington Commanders, as Clouse tries to bridge the gap between corporate expertise and the passionate world of NFL football.
