The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team competing in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League East division, based in Washington, D.C. The franchise originated as the Montreal Expos, an expansion team established in 1969, and relocated to Washington, D.C., in 2005, adopting the Nationals name to evoke the city's historical baseball legacy (the name was previously used by Washington teams in the 19th and early 20th centuries). Owned by the Lerner family since 2006, when Ted Lerner purchased the franchise for $450 million, the team has been managed by Mark D. Lerner as the principal owner following Ted's passing in 2023. The Nationals play their home games at Nationals Park, a modern stadium opened in 2008 in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Southeast Washington, D.C. Under Lerner ownership, the team invested heavily in facilities and player development, leading to significant on-field success, including their first World Series championship in 2019, defeating the Houston Astros. The organization operates as a business entity within the MLB framework, generating revenue through ticket sales, broadcasting rights (including a regional sports network deal with Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, MASN, which has been subject to a long-running legal dispute with the Baltimore Orioles), merchandise, and sponsorships, while contributing to the local economy and promoting youth baseball initiatives in the D.C. area through the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy. The Nationals have a diverse fan base and play a role in Washington, D.C.'s cultural landscape, hosting events that intersect with political and social spheres, such as the annual 'Nationals Park Dream Gala' for charity and regular visits by political figures. Despite their achievements, the team has faced controversies, such as ownership decisions criticized for conservative spending in free agency and occasional labor disputes with players, including the 2022 lockout. As of 2023, the Nationals are rebuilding their roster with a focus on young talent, aiming to return to playoff contention, following a period of decline after their World Series win, including trading key players like Juan Soto in 2022.