As the news broke on Thursday afternoon that a record-breaking deal to sell the Washington Commanders had been reached (but not yet signed), the emotions inside the team’s headquarters could not be denied, Jarrett Bell of USA Today reports.

“Kind of relief,” Commanders coach Ron Rivera said on Friday.

A group led by Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris and including Mitchell Rales and Earvin “Magic” Johnson reached an agreement in principle to purchase the Commanders from Dan and Tanya Snyder for $6.05 billion – the highest price ever for a U.S. sports franchise – and likely end the tenure of the NFL’s most despised owner.

“It really seemed like a load was lifted, because everybody was on pins and needles for the last couple of months,” Rivera said, reflecting on the reaction. “You kind of wondered what was going to happen.”

After a short break to process the development on Thursday, what happened next?

“Then we got right back to the draft meetings,” Rivera said. “We’ll still be business as usual.”

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