Mark Clouse, the former CEO of Campbell's Company (known as Campbell Soup Co. until recently), has been named the new team president for the Washington Commanders. The 56-year-old will officially begin his role in late January. This move marks Clouse's first foray into professional sports, following five years as president and CEO of Campbell's.
Clouse's professional background before joining the NFL team includes a significant tenure in the food industry, with leadership roles at companies such as Kraft Foods, Mondelez, and Pinnacle Foods. He also served 6.5 years as a helicopter pilot after playing basketball at Army-West Point. Commanders' controlling owner Josh Harris praised Clouse as a "dynamic leader" with a "stellar track record of guiding organizations to excellence, building brands that connect deeply with consumers."
Clouse succeeds Jason Wright, who made history in 2020 as the NFL's first Black team president under former owner Dan Snyder. Wright continued with the team for nearly a year after Harris acquired the franchise in July 2023, transitioning to a senior adviser role before his departure. Clouse's appointment was announced after market close on Tuesday, with analysts and fans expressing intrigue about his background in branding and his potential impact on the franchise, including possibilities for stadium development and engagement with team legends.
Clouse has already begun engaging with the team's history, initiating efforts to reconnect with former players and build trust. He emphasized the importance of honoring the franchise's heritage while also focusing on future growth and fan engagement. This includes ongoing progress on a new RFK stadium site, which Clouse stated is "on track" for an official groundbreaking next year.
This hiring reflects the new ownership group's continued efforts to transform both the football and business operations of the Commanders since acquiring the team from Dan Snyder in 2022. The group, which includes Mitch Rales and Magic Johnson, has seen an improvement in ticket sales and an 8-5 start to the current season under new general manager Peters and coach Quinn.
