The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C., competing in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They play their home games at Nationals Park, a contemporary stadium in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Originally established in 1969 as the Montreal Expos, the franchise relocated to Washington, D.C. in 2005 and was renamed the Nationals. This marked their status as the eighth franchise to represent Washington and the first since 1971. The pinnacle of their achievements occurred in 2019 when they secured their inaugural World Series title by triumphing over the Houston Astros in an intense seven-game series. Throughout history, the Nationals have also claimed NL East Division titles in 1981, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017. The team is characterized by its red, white, and navy blue colors and features Screech the bald eagle as its official mascot.
Who owns the Washington Nationals?
Mark Lerner is the principal owner of the Washington Nationals, a Major League Baseball team. The franchise was acquired in 2006 by his father, who purchased it from Expos Baseball, LP, a subsidiary of Major League Baseball, for $450 million. Following his father's retirement in 2018, Mark assumed the role of managing principal owner. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the George Washington University School of Business, which he obtained in 1975.
Mark Lerner also acts as managing principal owner of Lerner Enterprises, a family-owned company specializing in real estate development and investment within the Washington metropolitan area. The firm has successfully developed over 20 million square feet of real estate. Ted Lerner, Mark's father and founder of Lerner Enterprises, was recognized by Forbes magazine in 2015 as Maryland's richest individual. On February 12, 2023, Ted died from pneumonia at his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Mark Lerner’s role as the principal owner of the Washington Nationals
Mark Lerner serves as the Principal Managing Owner of the Washington Nationals, a position he assumed in 2018 following the transfer of ownership from his father, Ted Lerner. In this role, Mark Lerner is responsible for overseeing the team's operations and making financial and business decisions that influence the strategic direction of the franchise. Notably, under his leadership, the Nationals achieved a historic milestone by winning their first World Series title in 2019.
Washington Nationals Valuation
As per Forbes in March 2024, the Washington Nationals' valuation is $2 billion.
List of Washington Nationals owners
Here is the list of all owners of the Washington Nationals throughout its history:
| Team | Owner | Years |
| Montreal Expos | Charles Bronfman | 1969–1991 |
| Claude Brochu | 1991–1998 | |
| Jeffrey Loria | 1998–2002 | |
| Expos Baseball, LP (MLB) | 2002–2004 | |
| Washington Nationals | Expos Baseball, LP (MLB) | 2004–2006 |
| Ted Lerner | 2006–2023 | |
| Mark Lerner | 2023–present |
FAQs on Washington Nationals Owner
A. The Nationals were established in 1969 as the Montreal Expos and became the Washington Nationals in 2005.
A. The Nationals play at Nationals Park, located in Washington, D.C.
A. The Washington Nationals won their first World Series title in 2019.
A. The Nationals have won five division titles (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019).
A. The team's mascot is Screech, a bald eagle.
