From Name Change to Scandal: The Troubled Dan Snyder Era of the Washington Football Team

Washington football team owner, Dan Snyder, has finally agreed to sell the team to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers and Devils owner Josh Harris, which set a record of $6.05 billion. This decision did not come as a surprise, as Snyder’s ownership has been under fire for years, with a series of scandals and investigations that spanned three different team names. Snyder’s ownership had been under fire long before he and wife Tanya even considered putting the team up for sale due to various reasons, including a lack of success on the field and an unprofessional workplace. However, recent events involving allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic work environment seemed to put more heat on Snyder.

JULY 2020

In the wake of the George Floyd protests, prominent sponsors FedEx, PepsiCo, Nike, and Bank of America called on the team to abandon its old name, which Snyder vowed not to do for years. In response, the team launched a review and on July 13, announced it was giving up the name after 87 years. The Washington Post then reported that 15 female former employees said they were sexually harassed during their time with the team, following which the team retained attorney Beth Wilkinson’s firm to undertake an independent investigation into workplace conduct, which the NFL then took control of overseeing. In response, Snyder vowed to improve the culture inside the organization, but this did not stop further reports of harassment.

AUGUST 2020

Women who worked at Snyder’s Washington football team accused him of sexual harassment in a bombshell Washington Post article. It was alleged that Snyder invited a cheerleader to a hotel room with one of his friends and would make extra cheerleading videos for his pleasure. Snyder released a statement denying the specific allegations.

NOVEMBER 2020

Minority owners sued Snyder in federal court in Maryland to allow them to sell their shares of the team, totaling 40.5% of Washington Football Inc. In August, the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the organization, and it was good to see those changes. Goodell said, “he expected Wilkinson’s recommendations would add to them,” and still, weeks after it, 20 former employees wrote a letter to Goodell, asking about the final report release.

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2021

After the allegations of harassment and a toxic working environment, Snyder bought out his minority owners, making his family have total control of the football team. Snyder’s application for a debt waiver of $450 million was approved by the league’s financial committee, and Jason Wright was hired as team president in August to be part of the changes in the organization.

JULY 2021

The NFL fined the Washington Commanders $10 million and said Snyder would step away from day-to-day operations for several months after Wilkinson’s investigation found Washington’s workplace to be toxic and unprofessional, especially for women. Tanya Snyder assumed formal operations while he worked on long-term issues such as the search for a new stadium. No written report was released.

OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2021

Members of the U.S. Congress got involved, seeking all documents and communications related to the investigation, and urged the NFL and the team to release individuals from non-disclosure agreements that would prevent them from discussing sexual harassment and workplace issues at the club. Snyder was also accused of conducting a “shadow investigation” that sought to discredit former employees making accusations of workplace sexual harassment, hired private investigators to intimidate witnesses and used an overseas lawsuit as a pretext to obtain phone records and emails.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022

The House Oversight Committee held a roundtable discussion with former employees to discuss workplace misconduct and sexual harassment. Snyder placed his hand on a former employee’s thigh without her consent at a team dinner and pushed her toward his limousine with his hand on her lower back. The committee continued to push for the full release of the Wilkinson report and threatened “alternate means of obtaining compliance” if Goodell did not cooperate.

MARCH 2022

The NFL owners meeting in Arizona continued to discuss Snyder’s status, with Snyder’s attorneys demanding owners and the league indemnify him against future legal liability and costs if he sells the team. During the meeting, two groups submitted fully financed bids to buy the Commanders.

APRIL 2023

Schwalb announced a settlement with the Commanders and accused Snyder, the Commanders, the NFL, and Goodell of collusion to deceive fans by lying about an inquiry into “sexual misconduct and a persistently hostile work environment” within the team. Snyder agreed to sell to the group spearheaded by Harris, and on April 13, the Harris group reached an agreement in principle to buy the team from Snyder.

MAY 2023

Harris and the Snyders announced the sale agreement, which still needs approval of three-quarters of owners. The team still does not have a deal for a new stadium after ranking last in the NFL in average home attendance last season.

In conclusion, the process leading to the end of Snyder’s ownership ownership of Washington Commanders was a long and arduous one. The NFL had to step in with multiple investigations, and the team’s good fortune ultimately fell to the hands of a group of people with deep pockets. Whatever the reasons that initially provoked Snyder’s decision to sell, one thing it surely demonstrates is that no one can outrun individual or collective mistakes and the consequences they entail. Therefore, it prompts the question of whether the system is robust enough to regulate and sanction corrupt, greedy, or scandal-ridden individuals and corporations. The sale of the Washington Commanders shows that there was ultimately someone able to exercise control over Snyder, and accountability was implemented.

Football-WashingtonFootballTeam,DanSnyder,NameChange,Scandal,NFL