NFL Owners Vote on Future of Commanders’ Dan Snyder
NY Post, Getty Images
The NFL is currently moving to vote out businessman and league executive Dan Snyder from his position as owner of the Washington Commanders. This comes after the report of several sexual assault allegations and a pending investigation against his alleged misconduct of business and keeping of two separate accounting books.
To justify Snyder’s ban, 24 (or three-quarters) of the league executives responsible for voting need to vote in the favor of his removal. Additionally, voters await the investigation results of former Securities and Exchange Commission chair, Mary Jo White, which may further prove Snyder’s alleged guilt.
“While past conduct at the Team was unacceptable, the allegations leveled against me personally in today’s roundtable — many of which are well over 13 years old — are outright lies.” Snyder claimed. “I unequivocally deny having participated in any such conduct, at any time and with respect to any person.”
This is not the first time the NFL has been under fire for inappropriate behavior exhibited by NFL executives. Additionally, the Commanders are not responsible for the overflow of financial controversy. Not only had the allegation about Snyder had surfaced detailing him holding two separate accounting books, which was supposedly to keep portions of revenue away from other owners, but former committee member Jason Friedman testified that the Commanders intentionally complicated ticket refunding processes (holding on to $5 million of the deposits) and categorized revenue incorrectly to keep some of the profits.
“There’s growing frustration about the Washington situation and not over one issue, but over how much smoke there is,” an anonymous team owner told USA Today. “I think everybody’s getting tired of it.”
The decision made by league executives has a few potential outcomes: Snyder will be voted out, or the NFL will yet again be accused of ignoring substantial issues involving league executives who may have powerful secrets they are willing to expose.
“There is a sense among ownership that the time has come for Dan Snyder to move on.” Pro Football Talk host, Mike Florio, stated during the NBC Super Bowl Pregame Show.
This case is extremely important, as it sets a precedent for future executives caught in the same sort of scandals. Will the NFL accept a man who could be guilty of sexual misconduct and possible financial corruption as an owner of a team within their league, or will they put their foot down and stand up for change?
“My question to him is why haven’t you prohibited Snyder from having the franchise?” Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) and House Oversight Committee member said. “He’s not conducted himself in a manner that should allow him to continue to own the Commanders. In any other corporation, a board of directors would have booted him out a decade ago.”
Addy Cowley is a senior and the "Bulldog Tribune"’s EIC, the president for Cards4Cause, and the secretary of Key Club. She grew up in four countries,...