Tag: Mary Jo White

‘Happy Thanksgiving,’ Commanders Fans! It really has ended

Welcome to the Commanders, Josh Harris.

Thursday, July 20, 2023, marked the official end of the Daniel Snyder ownership era of the Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders.

He hired ten head coaches in his 24 NFL seasons as owner. He played general manager rather than actually hiring general managers to do the job. He interfered in some drafts and signed free agents he wanted, overruling coaches and scouts who had labored tirelessly.

Snyder’s experienced general manager suddenly resigned in July 1999, just prior to training camp. Snyder had just taken over ownership in May. It was a red flag of what was to come.

The winning percentage for Snyder was only .427. His teams won only two playoff games in Snyder’s 24 seasons, and one of those came in Snyder’s first season (1999) when he had taken ownership in May.

Thursday afternoon, the NFL determined this was not going to be a day to celebrate its new owner, Josh Harris. They made it clear they also wanted to publicly wash their hands of Daniel Snyder.

The NFL also chose to declare the findings of the Mary Jo White report today. White reported the Commanders withheld approximately $11M in revenue that should have been shared with other teams, that Snyder had sexually harassed a former female employee, and the Commanders failed to fully cooperate with her investigation.

Welcome to the Commanders, Josh Harris.

You come at a time that your predecessor could not have lowered the bar much more. His arrogance, his losing record, and his lack of caring for employees and fans have resulted in a severe plunging of fan attendance and revenue of team merchandise.

In one sense, you have a huge challenge in taking over a mess on the business side as well. The number of errors, even in recent years, has been well documented.

Yet, on the other side of the coin, this is a huge opportunity for you, Mr. Harris. You have the opening to set a new vision, create an enjoyable workplace culture, and bring winning on the field back to a once proud and hugely successful franchise.

You can set the direction and expectations of how all employees are to treat one another. You can bring great change to the organization by not merely making rules but also setting a positive example, not the smugness we saw previously.

The fanbase has been through an awful lot these 24 seasons. Perhaps you can launch your ownership era by giving the hometown fans something back for a change.

Again, welcome, Mr Harris. We wish you success in your future endeavors with this franchise.

 

Mary Jo White present in Minneapolis for NFL owners meetings

Is White updating NFL owners on her investigation into Snyder and the Commanders?

The NFL’s Mary Jo White-led investigation opened in Feb. 2022, after the league hired her to investigate former Washington employee Tiffani Johnston’s harassment allegation against Commanders owner Daniel Snyder.

As of July 20, White’s investigation into Snyder, the Commanders hasn’t been made public. Is the investigation over? Is the NFL waiting for the sale of the Commanders from Snyder to Josh Harris?

As the NFL owners converged in Minneapolis Thursday to vote on the sale of the franchise, there is an update on White — sort of.

According to Mark Maske of The Washington Post, White entered the room with NFL owners to presumably update them on her investigation into Snyder and the Commanders.

Owners are expected to approve the sale of the Commanders Thursday. Therefore, there should be actual news on White’s investigation at some point soon, right?

Longtime Washington writer Rick Snider weighed in on what’s likely happening.

It will all be over soon.

Congressman urges NFL, Roger Goodell to release Mary Jo White report

Is the NFL waiting until after the Commanders are sold to Josh Harris?

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The Washington Commanders will officially have a new owner soon. If things go as expected, the NFL owners will convene on July 20 for a special meeting, where it’s expected they will vote on the sale of the Commanders from embattled owner Daniel Snyder to Josh Harris.

What’s unknown is when Mary Jo White’s investigation into Snyder and the Commanders will conclude. White, a former United States attorney for the Southern District of New York and the former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, was hired by the NFL in Feb. 2022 to lead an investigation into Snyder and the Commanders.

With the sale expected soon, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) sent a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding White’s investigation. The Washington Post obtained a copy of the letter, per Mark Maske. Raskin is the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, which led a separate 14-month investigation into Snyder and the Commanders.

That investigation concluded when Republicans took control of the House.

“I write with regard to the National Football League’s (NFL) investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial malfeasance against Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder,” the letter read. “More than a year has passed since your pledge to “share the results of that investigation,” yet, to date, no part of the information has been released to the public. In light of the impending sale of the Commanders franchise, I urge you to honor your commitment to release the report in its entirety and “take additional disciplinary action if warranted.”

The NFL has promised White’s report will be made public, unlike the previous Beth Wilkinson investigation. Snyder has reportedly lobbied for the NFL to limit the release of White’s report and has denied multiple requests from White to be interviewed.

Could this all be finished soon?

Where are we in the process of the Commanders’ sale?

We are one step closer to a new owner for the Commanders after Friday. What’s next?

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On Friday, there was another announcement regarding the potential sale of the Washington Commanders by longtime owner Daniel Snyder.

So, where are we today, and where are we in the process of this future sale?

On April 13, a nonexclusive deal with the Josh Harris group was announced. That agreement was not final, nor was it a signed deal exclusively with Harris.

Friday, May 12 a new stage in the process was reached. This was an exclusive deal with the Harris Group, and the amount of $6.05 billion was confirmed.

Though his office was cleaned out at the Ashburn facility months ago, though there were multiple reports that Mr. Snyder was moving forward toward an actual sale of the team, up to that point the one person we had not heard from that Snyder was absolutely selling was Daniel Snyder himself. That statement finally arrived on May 12.

Next, the NFL Finance Committee will look at the particulars of the deal and then recommend it to the other owners for a vote. A vote in the affirmative for the sale to the Harris group will require the approval of at least three-fourths (24) of the league’s 32 owners.

Questions remain regarding the Mary Jo Wright report. Don Van Natta Jr. reported Friday that Snyder is seeking to limit the release of Mary Jo White’s report. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has previously stated that there will be a written report made public.

A.J. Perez, reporter of Front Office Sports stated Friday that White’s report may not be made available until late in the 2023 calendar year.

Daniel Wallach, Legal Analyst at the Athletic stated Friday that White “has told lawyers and witnesses involved in the case that she expects her entire report to be made public, not just her findings.”

There may always remain uncertainty regarding Snyder’s personal involvement in sexual harassment. It is very difficult to prove in cases where it has occurred. Yet, the sexual harassment that was too often in the facility does indeed fall under his watch. He was the boss, the owner. “The buck stops here” does apply in leadership. As has often been said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”

The NFL is going to want to see this sale finalized. They desire the removal of Daniel Snyder.

It’s difficult for Washington NFL fans to be patient regarding this, but they might as well because the process is still continuing further down the road, though perhaps not as quickly as most would like.

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Attorneys for former Washington employees ask the NFL, owners to bar Dan Snyder from suing accusers

Lawyers representing more than 40 former Washington employees asked Roger Goodell and the NFL to bar Dan Snyder from suing his accusers as a part of the team’s sale.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and multiple owners have reportedly received requests from the attorneys representing more than 40 former Washington employees to prohibit Commanders owner Daniel Snyder from suing his accusers as a provision for the sale of the franchise, according to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

Here’s an excerpt of the letter from attorneys Lisa Banks and Debra Katz:

As you can imagine, we were happy to learn last week that there appears to be a deal in principle for the sale of the Washington Commanders, which will ensure that Daniel Snyder will no longer be able to exert his malign influence over team employees, the Washington area community, or the National Football League.

We understand that the League and other team owners must review and approve the terms of any sale between Mr. Snyder and the new ownership group. In doing so, we request that you and the NFL owners demand that the sale agreement includes a contractual provision that forbids Mr. Snyder from initiating litigation against any of the individuals who participated in the various investigations into the team, including but not limited to our 40 [plus] clients.

Clients of Banks and Katz were interviewed as a part of the NFL’s investigation into Snyder, led by Mary Jo White, and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s probe, which wrapped in late last year. 

White’s investigation is expected to conclude at any moment, and Goodell has promised to release the results whether Snyder sells the team or not. 

Snyder has reportedly declined to be interviewed by White in her investigation.

Jerry Jones wants the NFL’s investigation into Dan Snyder released

Why? Because he says he knows everything in the report.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder go way back. When Snyder bought the Washington franchise in 1999, Jones quickly took Snyder under his wing. And despite the pair owning rival organizations, they’ve remained close throughout the years, with many describing Jones as Snyder’s biggest — and sometimes only — ally.

There have been questions the pair aren’t as close as they were in the past. Something Jones has acknowledged but dismissed any notion that there was friction between him and Snyder.

At the NFL owners meetings this week, Jones fielded questions about the Snyders and the potential sale of the Commanders. He called the Washington franchise a “national treasure,” noting its importance to the NFL.

On Tuesday, Jones took more questions on the Commanders, one of which was regarding the NFL’s investigation into Snyder, led by Mary Jo White.

Jones wants the NFL to release the entire White report when it is complete. White’s investigation began in February 2022 and could be completed at any time.

Why would Jones want the NFL to release the results of White’s investigation?

“Because I know everything in the report,” Jones said.

He didn’t elaborate on what he meant. Presumably, he didn’t think the report would be too damning from Snyder’s perspective. Obviously, that’s speculation, but Jones has said before at least one of the investigations into Snyder and Washington was “stupid” and “politically biased.”

Jones spoke on the same day that Washington reportedly received a pair of $6 billion bids for the franchise.

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Report: Dan Snyder has declined to be interviewed in Mary Jo White’s investigation

When will this be over?

Remember when the NFL hired Mary Jo White, the former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, last February to lead another investigation into Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder?

That investigation remains ongoing, with other allegations surfacing over the past 13 months. In November, it was revealed that Snyder had hired Bank of America to explore potential transactions of the Commanders.

The Commanders released a statement after the NFL hired White, pledging full cooperation with the league’s investigation.

Here’s that statement:

The Washington Commanders are pleased that the NFL has appointed Mary Jo White to look into the recent allegations made by Tiffani Johnston. The Commanders have always been intent on having a full and fair investigation of this matter conducted and to releasing the results of that investigation. Given the Team’s confidence in Ms. White’s ability to conduct such a full and fair investigation, the Commanders will not separately pursue an investigation and will cooperate fully with Ms. White.

Well, according to a new report from Mark Maske, Liz Clarke and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, Snyder has declined to be interviewed by White.

The Post indicates that White plans to attempt to interview Snyder one more time before completing her investigation, but it’s not known if Snyder will agree to speak with her.

NFL owners and top executives reported to Phoenix, Arizona, this weekend for the league’s annual meetings. At one time, the fate of the Commanders was expected to be a major topic; however, Snyder and Washington are not currently on the agenda. The Commanders’ prospective sale is expected to be discussed during the owners’ privileged sessions Monday and Tuesday.

The Washington Post reached out to the NFL, Mary Jo White and the Commanders. The NFL refused to comment, White did not respond and the Commanders called it a “matter between the club and the League.”

We’ll continue to follow this story.

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Are the results of the NFL’s investigation into Daniel Snyder coming soon?

More trouble coming for Dan Snyder?

It’s been another tough week for embattled Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder.

First, there was The Washington Post report Monday indicating that Snyder wanted indemnification from the NFL and other owners from future liabilities if he sells the team. Then, on Tuesday, Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN dropped the bombshell report centering on Snyder and an alleged $55 million loan that caused the initial rift between him and his former co-owners.

Since writing his story, Van Natta has appeared on virtually every D.C. sports radio station or podcast over the last two days discussing his report. And in an appearance on the “Hoffman Show” on Team 980 with Craig Hoffman, Van Natta indicated more trouble could be coming for Snyder.

The NFL investigation into Snyder and the Commanders, led by former Securities and Exchange Commission chair and U.S. attorney Mary Jo White, could be finishing up soon.

“My understanding is the report is coming soon,” Van Natta said. “I’ve had a couple of sources tell me that.”

On Wednesday, Lisa Banks, one of the attorneys for the 40 former Commanders employees, was a guest on “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan and echoed a similar sentiment, per Grant Paulsen.

At this point, you wonder if the timing of these is strategic to keep the pressure on Snyder to sell. Or, perhaps, it’s just coincidental, as White’s investigation began over one year ago, in February 2022.

Regardless, this can’t be good news for Snyder.

Report: U.S. attorney’s office investigating Commanders regarding alleged financial improprieties

More trouble for Daniel Snyder?

The hits keep on coming for the Washington Commanders and owner Daniel Snyder. Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN reported that the U.S. attorney’s office in the Eastern District of Virginia had opened a criminal investigation into the NFL franchise regarding alleged financial improprieties.

Van Natta cites two sources familiar with the matter.

The report says the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission and multiple attorney generals in April regarding “alleged deceptive business practices.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy had the following to say: “We will decline comment.”

Attorney John Brownlee of Holland & Knight, who represents the Commanders, offered the following statement to ESPN:

“It is not surprising that ESPN is publishing more falsehoods based solely on anonymous sources — given today’s announcement,” the statement read. “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.”

The announcement Brownlee is seemingly referencing is the Forbes report that Snyder had hired Bank of America to investigate a potential franchise sale.

The U.S. attorney’s office and the FTC declined to comment to ESPN.

Mary Jo White is currently investigating allegations against Snyder and Washington’s formerly toxic workplace culture. White’s investigation is the second NFL investigation into the team.

The alleged financial improprieties initially came to light earlier this year when a former team employee came forward with allegations that the franchise had two separate financial books, “one with underreported ticket revenue that went to the NFL and the full, complete picture.”

We will continue to follow this story.

Could other NFL owners finally have had enough of Commanders owner Daniel Snyder?

Snyder remains under investigation.

Could the end be near for Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder? A recent report from The Washington Post says that some NFL owners believe they could convince Snyder to sell, or the other owners could have enough votes to force Snyder to sell the franchise.

All things on the Snyder front have been quiet since he agreed to testify before Congress in July. Former Washington team president Bruce Allen was questioned recently for 10 hours about the franchise’s former workplace culture. In addition to the Congressional investigation, the NFL is conducting an investigation led by Mary Jo White.

Here is an excerpt of the report, written by Nicki Jhabvala, Liz Clarke and Mark Maske:

Multiple owners said in recent days that they believe serious consideration may be given to attempting to oust Snyder from the league’s ownership ranks, either by convincing him to sell his franchise or by voting to remove him.

This report comes on the heels of NBA owner Robert Sarver agreeing to sell the Phoenix Suns and his WNBA franchise, the Phoenix Mercury after the NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million after an investigation uncovered Sarver made racist, sexist and misogynistic comments over the years.

Washington fans shouldn’t get their hopes with this latest report as two other owners expressed skepticism.

A third owner said recently that a move to oust Snyder would be surprising, adding that the franchise currently is more stable than it has been at other points of Snyder’s ownership. A fourth owner said this week he doesn’t know enough about “the process” and is unsure whether other owners will convince Snyder to sell or vote to compel a sale. That owner added he has insufficient information about the situation, in part because White’s investigation remains ongoing.

Snyder’s wife and co-owner, Tanya, has represented the Commanders at NFL owner’s meetings recently as Daniel Snyder stepped back from day-to-day operations.

There is no timetable for the conclusion of White’s investigation, meaning Snyder will remain Washington’s owner for the time being.