Tag: Dan Snyder

Dan and Tanya Snyder release statement after Commanders sale is finalized

The Snyder family congratulate Josh Harris and his fellow owners on the purchase of the Commanders.

After 24 years as owner of the Washington NFL franchise, Daniel Snyder and his wife Tanya are gone. NFL owners unanimously approved the Commanders sale to a group led by Josh Harris for $6.05 billion.

When news broke Thursday afternoon, there were multiple parties throughout the DMV, celebrating Harris’ arrival as Washington’s new owner.

Meanwhile, all was quiet from the outgoing owners.

On Friday, that changed as Dan and Tanya Snyder released a statement:

We congratulate the Harris Ownership Group on yesterday’s unanimous League approval of their purchase of the Washington Commanders. We are proud to have built the most diverse leadership group of any NFL Team, including having the highest representation of women, underrepresented groups, and the first full time black female coach in League history.

We are immensely grateful to the best fans in football, the Commanders’ faithful, for the passion and unwavering support they have shown for this team and those who represented it on and off the field. From the players who battled every week for that extra inch, to those who worked behind the scenes to enhance every facet of the organization, we thank you for your hard work, dedication and commitment to our team, fans, pursuit of excellence and most importantly, to each other.

Being stewards of this historic organization for the last quarter century has been the privilege of a lifetime. When we purchased the team nearly 25 years ago, Dan was quoted as saying “I’m a fan. A huge fan. It’s that simple.” That is as true today as it was then. During our next chapter, we are looking forward to spending time with family and devoting our energy to the causes that matter very much to us, including furthering our long-standing support of breast cancer research.

Harris, along with co-owners Mitchell Rales, Magic Johnson, David Blitzer and Mark Ein were introduced at FedEx Field Friday, which ended with them attending the Commanders training camp pep rally.

New Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris celebrated by buying fans roughly 1,000 beers

Dan Snyder would never.

On Thursday, Josh Harris officially wrested control of the Washington Commanders away from low effort Scooby-Doo villain Dan Snyder. It was a triumphant moment for most parties involved.

Long suffering Washington fans shot up a one-finger goodbye to an owner who was responsible for more Congressional investigations into his franchise (three) than playoff wins (two). Commanders employees breathed a sigh of relief after casting Snyder, architect of a prolifically toxic workplace and little else, out to sea. And Harris got to purchase the team he grew up cheering for at the low, low cost of just over $6 billion.

So at that point, another $7,000 on celebratory beers was just loose change.

Harris, hours after having his purchase bid approved by the NFL, called into DC radio’s 106.7 The Fan to chat up Grant and Danny, who were broadcasting their afternoon talk show from local Old Ox Brewery. And after accepting some congratulations from the duo, he made a second move to ingratiate himself to Commanders fans.

“I want to get back to Washington, my hometown, and celebrate with you guys,” Harris told his hosts. “Let’s get started by me buying everyone in the brewery and the bullpen a beer.”

It was an announcement immediately followed by raucous applaus at the Virginia-based brewery. Harris was already a hero by leaving Snyder to make his terrible decisions elsewhere. But then he brought beer, which is the easiest way to make friends at a tailgate.

It’s a simple gesture that paled in cost comparison to Harris’s actual value, but it was an easy way to show he was the anti-Snyder. Washington’s former owner mostly left his fan interactions to litigation. Harris, on the other hand, wants them to celebrate his arrival with a locally made beer. Neat.

ESPN senior writer says there is a ‘pretty good chance’ Commanders change their name

Another name change? Don Van Natta has broken many Washington stories over the past year.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Washington Commanders after Josh Harris took over as owner is whether he and his group would consider another name change or rebranding.

Well, Harris is officially the new owner of the Commanders. And while current team president Jason Wright seemed to downplay another potential rebranding earlier this year, one plugged-in writer isn’t ruling it out and even believes it can happen.

Don Van Natta Jr. is a fantastic senior writer for ESPN. He and Seth Wickersham wrote several terrific stories regarding former owner Daniel Snyder and the toxic workplace he oversaw in 24 years as owner. Van Natta and Wickersham broke several stories regarding Snyder over the past year, including the one where Snyder allegedly told others he had “dirt” on his fellow owners.

On Thursday, after NFL owners approved Harris as the new owner of the Commanders, Van Natta was a guest on “The Rich Eisen Show,” where he was asked what the first order of business for Harris and his ownership group would be.

His answer could bring joy to a large portion of Washington’s fan base, unhappy with the name, Commanders.

Van Natta initially told Eisen that all Harris had to do was the opposite of what Snyder did, and the two laughed.

Then Eisen asked the question of the day:

“Do you think it’s possible they even change the name……….to remove all trails and traces of Dan Snyder?”

“I think so…yes…I think there’s a pretty good chance of that,” Van Natta said.

“To erase any part of the Snyder legacy, to have a complete do-over…..I would not be surprised at all, Rich, if we see a name change and complete rebranding.”

Later on Thursday, a Washington fan asked Van Natta about his comments on Eisen’s show, which he reiterated.

Wright and others have touted Washington’s rebranding to the Commanders as successful. However, if you ask most Washington fans, the rebranding has been anything but successful. While some fans are tired of the name debate and ready to move on to winning football, there remains a large portion of the fan base who want to see Harris consider getting rid of the Commanders name.

One thing is certain, not everyone will be happy either way.

Twitter reacts to Commanders sale, Josh Harris & Dan Snyder

Thursday was a great day for fans of the Washington Commanders.

Thursday, July 20, 2023, will be a day Washington NFL fans will never forget. After 24 years as owner, Daniel Snyder is officially gone, as the NFL approved Josh Harris as Washington’s new owner.

There were parties celebrating Washington’s sale. Harris even called into the “Grant and Danny” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington and bought beers for everyone in attendance at the sale party at the Old Ox Brewery in Ashburn.

Overall, it was a great day for Washington fans — young and old. While not every lapsed fan will return, Thursday’s news is an excellent first step in rejuvenating a fractured fan base.

After such an eventful day, we searched Twitter for some of the best reactions to the Commanders sale, Josh Harris and Dan Snyder.

Where Dan Snyder’s Commanders parting fine of $60 million ranks in NFL history

Compared to what the league’s handed out before, this was not a small dent.

Dan Snyder’s nearly 25-year-long tenure as owner of the Washington Commanders came to an end on Thursday as he sold the franchise to Josh Harris.

And after ruining a Washington D.C. institution while reportedly treating his employees like garbage, Snyder received quite a hefty parting “gift” — a $60 million fine as a result of an investigation into some of his financial misconduct. For a man who just made over $6 billion in a sale, it’s probably not the biggest dent in his checkbook.

But, when compared to NFL history, this is no small number.

Let’s take a look at where Snyder’s last fine related to the Commanders (for now) ranks by the league’s past precedent.

Dan Snyder’s NFL tenure ends as it always was — with scandals and insufficient punishment

The NFL was unable to give Dan Snyder what he so richly deserved. But it is rid of Snyder, and that’s the important thing.

When Daniel Snyder bought the then-Washington Redskins in 1999, he did so for a price of $800 million. On Thursday, the sale of the now-Washington Commanders from Snyder to Josh Harris was made official, and Snyder sold the team for a record $6.05 billion.

“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well.

“I met Josh several years ago, prior to his acquisition of an interest in the Steelers and have been fortunate to get to know him better over the past few months. I know he has a commitment to winning on the field, but also to running an organization that everyone will be proud of — and to making positive contributions in the community.”

As the league officially announced the sale of the team vis its communications arm, it also finally revealed the findings of the investigation by former U.S. Attorney and SEC Chair Mary Jo White and her colleagues from Debevoise & Plimpton into Snyder’s multiple dealings outside the purview of league standards.

From the NFL’s statement:

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appointed Ms. White as the independent investigator immediately following allegations against Commanders owner Daniel Snyder made by former Commanders employee Tiffani Johnston at a Congressional roundtable in February 2022.

The Commissioner expanded Ms. White’s review in April 2022 to include alleged financial misconduct at the club, after those allegations were first raised before a Congressional committee.

Ms. White and her colleagues conducted a comprehensive and independent investigation over 17 months that included interviews with dozens of witnesses, sometimes on multiple occasions, a review of over 10,000 documents, and assistance from a team of forensic accountants.

“We appreciate the diligence, thoroughness and professionalism of Ms. White and her team throughout this process,” said Commissioner Goodell. “We pledged to share her findings publicly and are doing so today.”

Mr. Snyder will pay $60 million to the league in resolution of Ms. White’s findings and all outstanding matters.

“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL,” said Commissioner Goodell. “We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values.”

Ms. White’s findings concluded that Snyder was to be sustained in the matter of Tiffani Johnston’s claims of sexual harassment, and the further claims that the team underreported its own revenue to avoid sharing that revenue with the other 31 clubs. Furthermore, it was stated by Ms. White that Snyder and the team failed to cooperate with her investigation.

Which makes the league’s gesture of fining Snyder $60 million as he hit the door nothing but performative. Snyder walked with relative impunity through a quarter of a century of disastrous mis-management and shady dealings, and he leaves laughing all the way to the bank.

And now, one of the most onerous ownerships in professional sports history has come to an end — with little more than a slap on the wrist for Snyder, but also with the best possible scenario for the NFL itself.

Daniel Snyder is out of the league. In the end, that’s all that matters.

NFL releases findings of investigation into Commanders, Dan Snyder fined $60M

Dan Snyder will pay $60 million as part of the closing of the sale of the Commanders following an independent investigation

The NFL released the findings of the independent investigation into the Washington Commanders franchise Thursday after the sale to Josh Harris was approved. As part of the closing, former owner Dan Snyder will pay $60 million after it was found that the organization withheld revenue that was supposed to be shared with other teams.

It was also found that Snyder sexually harassed a former employee of the team.

The 17-month investigation was conducted by attorney Mary Jo White, beginning in February 2022 after a former cheerleader and employee of the franchise alleged that Snyder harassed her.

“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values.”

NFL owners approved the sale of the Commanders to the group led by Harris on Thursday for $6.05 billion.

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Commanders fans celebrated the end of Dan Snyder’s toxic ownership tenure

They’ve waited a long time for this.

Dan Snyder’s long reign of incompetent terror over the Washington Commanders has finally come to an end. After nearly a quarter-century at the helm of Washington, Snyder’s sale to new owner Josh Harris was completed today with unanimous approval from every other NFL owner, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Of course, given the combination of consistent scandals and an almost-always awful on-field product, this is a momentous day for anyone who counts themselves a Commanders supporter. Snyder was not only one of the NFL’s worst active owners but arguably one of the worst in the league’s history.

And now, everyone can move on. A new era in D.C. has begun.

Harris might be a good or even great owner down the line, but he assuredly doesn’t have a very high bar to clear at the start.

10 things we learned about Dan Snyder’s awfulness from ESPN’s report on the Jon Gruden email leaks

ESPN’s latest investigative bombshell leaves no one looking good — and shows Dan Snyder might have ousted himself.

I’d like to believe this is our last chronicle of all the awful and stupid things Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has done. In my heart, I know it won’t be.

Ostensibly, this is a breakdown of the latest reported transgressions from ESPN’s reporting of the ongoing strip mining of toxic sludge that has permeated every layer of Snyder’s franchise. It’s a recounting of the leaked emails that cost Jon Gruden his job as head coach of a totally different team and how Snyder’s alleged impatience eventually led to his own ousting after a series of passive not-technically-threats to NFL owners and officials. In short, emails discovered during a joint investigation into Washington’s toxic work environment — specifically, emails Gruden wrote using racist and homophobic language — were leaked to the press and had a still-catalyzing reaction.

There’s a lot of good stuff in there as well, from petty personal grudges to a shrugging game of “not me” among millionaires to, delightfully, Sean Payton calling Gruden a “dumb[expletive]” for paying league fines. This was never going to be a pleasant story, but at least with the worst person in the NFL finally, probably, on his way out, there was a silver lining.

But while Snyder’s alleged role in the leaks forced him into the imminent sale of the franchise he quickly smothered — a sale that will bring him more than $6 billion after buying the team for $750 million — it seems a given that the loudest braying jackass in a pasture made specifically for similarly minded animals won’t go quietly into his good night. Snyder may not own his team after 2024, (or maybe he will, it’s Dan Snyder, neither common sense nor sound logic play a role here). Either way, his truly depressing incapacity to learn from mistakes or better himself in any way makes it a near certainty that we will, sometime in the future, once again require a digest of all the terrible things he’s done.

This is probably just another volume in the encyclopedia of Snyder disasters. Let’s trace the story from its origin — amazingly, as always, reported by Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. — and figure out whose lives Dan Snyder ruined this time.

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ESPN details how Jon Gruden email leaks led to Dan Snyder being forced to sell Commanders

Report: Jon Gruden email leaks led directly to Dan Snyder being forced to sell Commanders

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It’s funny how dots can be connected and traced back to when the first domino fell. It wasn’t so long ago that Dan Snyder seemed untouchable as the owner of the Commanders/Redskins/Washington Football Team. He was supremely confident he couldn’t be forced to do anything.

First it was his refusal to change the name of the team from the Redskins, despite mounting public and league pressure.

He ultimately did have to do that. Going with “Washington Football Team” (which is basically what many outlets were already calling them) before eventually going with Commanders as the new mascot.

Such was also the case with his ownership of the team despite serious lawsuits for toxic workplace allegations.

Once those came out, Snyder treated it like he did everything else — a staple of powerful people who aren’t often faced with anyone telling them “no” — he brushed it off.

But in this case, he may have gone a step farther. One step too far as it would happen.

We all know that in the midst of the investigation into Snyder and the Washington Football Team’s toxic workplace allegations, it was Raiders head coach Jon Gruden who was caught under the wheels of that bus.

Emails were discovered between Gruden and then Washington GM Bruce Allen that included some offensive language many deemed to be racist, homophobic, and misogynist in nature. Leading to Gruden’s forced resignation.

Some indepth reporting by ESPN reveals many details about how and perhaps *why* those emails were released. Along with the reverberation felt from it that went far beyond Gruden. Many believe it was Snyder himself who leaked them.

Snyder was in the midst of a suspension due to the results of the league’s investigation into his team’s conduct. He got impatient and wanted back in and hoped the leak would help get him back in Goodell’s good graces.

Lawyers close to the NFL and to Gruden said the choice to leak to the Times over The Washington Post, a newspaper Snyder hates, was a dead giveaway that Snyder and those around him were behind the leaks.

If that indeed was Snyder’s plan, it backfired. Big time.

No matter how the leaks were engineered, multiple sources draw a direct line from emails that trickled out over a few days in October 2021 to Snyder’s crash and his imminent $6.05 billion sale of the Commanders. Within days of the leaks, a congressional committee launched a wide-ranging investigation of the Commanders and the NFL that forced Goodell, Allen and Snyder to testify under oath. The congressional inquiry would lead to a federal criminal investigation into alleged financial misconduct by Snyder and the team. As pressure mounted, Snyder bragged to associates that he had collected dirt on his fellow owners and Goodell that could “blow up” the league. Unfazed, owners finally all but forced Snyder to sell his beloved franchise.

“He was free and clear that October — he just had to wait out his suspension and let everything blow over,” a source close to Snyder said. “A major miscalculation. Without the leaks, he might just have survived.”

Goodell’s response to the leaks was…not at all what Snyder was hoping for.

The commissioner was furious that the emails sullied the league’s image after years of trying to make progress in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

Not to mention, the leaks now got the attention of Congress who opened their own investigation into Snyder.

A source close to the committee told ESPN that, although congressional staff and some lawmakers were already interested in issues around the Commanders and Snyder, the string of leaks moved them to act. Their thinking was, if the leaks showed the kind of material Snyder was weaponizing against his enemies, what else might be out there?

And thus Snyder had officially overplayed his hand. And he was about to finally get at least a bit of what was coming to him.

Snyder’s suspension would continue indefinitely. The owners — and most importantly Jerry Jones — would line up in lockstep to force Snyder to sell the team, which as of late last May, he has agreed to do.

Meanwhile, Gruden’s lawsuit against the NFL persists, with him thus far refusing to ever settle. Some would probably say his forced resignation was a good place to start. But Snyder was always the big fish here.

Who knows, by the end of this thing, we could see a lot more people get their just desserts.