A Commanders statement revealed Dan Snyder is considering selling all or part of his franchise. In the wake of that surprising announcement, word came down the embattled owner is the subject of yet another investigation.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Virginia’s Eastern District opened a criminal investigation into alleged financial improprieties perpetrated by the Commanders under Snyder, Don Van Natta of ESPN.com reports. An April letter from the House Oversight Committee to the Federal Trade Commission, along with several attorneys general, alleging “deceptive business practices” led to this latest probe. This Virginia investigation joins those being conducted by the Oversight Committee and the NFL as ongoing inquiries into Snyder and his franchise.
This matter also falls under the umbrella of the latest NFL investigation. While Mary Jo White’s investigation is covering allegations of sexual misconduct in the Washington organization and a 2009 alleged Snyder sexual assault, the financial component is also folded into this. No timetable exists for White’s probe. It is the second NFL investigation into Snyder in two years. The first led to Snyder being fined $10MM and being removed from day-to-day responsibilities with his team. Snyder, 57, is believed to no longer be under any restrictions.
The Oversight Committee’s letter indicated it found deceptive business dealings over a 10-plus-year period. The franchise’s owner since 1999, Snyder and other team executives have been accused of withholding ticket revenue from opposing teams and keeping refundable deposits from fans. The Committee also accused Snyder’s franchise of dishonesty with the NFL regarding sharable revenue. A former employee, testifying to the Committee, indicated Washington had two separate books — one with the full figures and another with underreported ticket revenue, according to Van Natta.
“We are confident that, after these agencies have had a chance to review the documents and complete their work, they will come to the same conclusion as the team’s internal review — that these allegations are simply untrue,” attorney John Brownlee, who represents the Commanders, said in a statement to ESPN.
Dan and Tanya Snyder hired Bank of America Securities to “consider potential transactions,” regarding a full or partial sale of the team. At least four interested buyers have reached out, with the Broncos’ $4.65 billion price under threat to be surpassed — if the Snyders go through with a sale. Wednesday’s Commanders announcement regarding a potential sale comes less than a month after they indicated no sale would ever be considered. Investigations are mounting, however, and other NFL owners have grown concerned.
Reports of anonymous NFL owners being dissatisfied with Snyder emerged earlier this year, and Colts owner Jim Irsay voiced this frustration last month. Irsay indicated there might be 24 votes on the table to oust Snyder, which would be a first for an NFL owner in the league’s 102-year history. Irsay doubled down on those comments recently.
“I don’t not feel it’s in the best interests of the shield and the NFL,” Irsay said of Snyder’s Commanders ownership (via Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer; video link). “This is not how we should be represented, and it’s regrettable that we have to be in this position. I do believe that the concerns I have will merit a serious discussion among all the owners. I don’t want to see this swept under the rug again.”
The NFL is believed to have reversed course on a plan for a written report in its previous investigation, leading to widespread scrutiny. An ESPN report subsequently accused Snyder of conducting shadow investigations of select other owners, including Jerry Jones, who said recently he still supports his fellow NFC East owner. Snyder sent a letter to other owners insisting he had never hired firms to investigate them. Irsay and Snyder, however, have not been in touch since the former’s bombshell comments, John Keim of ESPN.com notes. With Irsay indicating he will not stand down on this matter any longer, the heat on Snyder should not be expected to cool down anytime soon.
Said it before, I’ll believe it when I see it. Snyder has ruined that team. Ruined a very proud fan base, and looks more and more every day like a spoiled brat. Please sell the whole team and get the hell out of Washington!
If I had the money, I wouldn’t dare partner with that man. He’s scum.
Ruined my team. I gave up on them years ago 100% due to Dan.
This is not my shocked face.
Whoever buys this team first move should be to change the name of the team back to the Redskins.
The Natives. Keep the Indian theme going but in a different manner. Or a local Va/Maryland tribe’s name with permission. Like FSU did with the Seminoles.
Snyder to sell the team to the Saudis – just so we could watch all the heads explode.
…all the heads get bone sawed, you mean.
Redskins
Certain people get mad that the name “Redskins” was changed to Commanders.
Many of the same people get mad that the name “Indians” was changed to Guardians.
Absolutely no one cares that the name “Hornets” was changed to Pelicans. I’ll feign to wonder why.
The simple solution is to mimic the CFL and name every team the Roughriders.