Dan Snyder’s Future a Hot Topic at NFL Owners Meetings

Dan Snyder’s future in the NFL as the proprietor of the Washington Commanders is still uncertain as his colleagues gathered at a swank resort for the league’s annual meetings and awaited word on a possible team sale.

While his colleagues gathered at a swanky resort for the league’s annual meetings, Dan Snyder’s future as the owner of the Washington Commanders remained on hold while they awaited information on the team’s potential sale.

According to three people with knowledge of the situation, a discussion of Snyder is not scheduled to take place this week. Despite his absence and despite quarterback Lamar Jackson’s trade request taking up most of the news, Snyder was still a hot topic of discussion.

“I believe he has listed the team for sale. I believe that something is close to happening,” Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, said. “I’m not certain of that. We’ll watch to see what transpires.”

In a recent bid to buy the Commanders, Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos joined organizations headed by Josh Harris and Tilman Fertitta. A bidder’s name must be submitted to the NFL for approval after Snyder accepts an offer. According to a source who spoke with the AP, that hasn’t happened yet.

Last fall, with multiple investigations ongoing into the team’s workplace culture, finances and Snyder himself, he and wife Tanya hired a firm to “consider possible transactions.” Tanya is still the team’s representative at league activities.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has said there’s “merit to remove” The Commanders are owned by Snyder. To make that happen, 24 of the other 31 team owners would need to vote in an unprecedented manner.

According to a source who spoke to the AP, Snyder and his attorneys have demanded that NFL owners and the league indemnify him against potential future legal liability and expenses if he sells the team. Two owners told the AP that Snyder’s demand for indemnification infuriated them, but they said they would wait until the sale process was complete before taking any further action.

Snyder’s circumstances, according to Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, have altered their relationship.

“I think that it’s a little more formal, but I think it’s that way because of the various issues that are involved here,” Jones said. “It’s not “lovey-dovey,” but neither is it overly strained.”

Former U.S. agents are still looking into Snyder and his team. The league hired attorney Mary Jo White to investigate various facets of the organization following a congressional investigation into workplace misconduct that also included a referral to the Federal Trade Commission for possible commercial irregularities.

When asked if Snyder had declined to speak with White, a spokesperson said that the matter is private between the team and the league and would not comment.

Snyder is dealing with additional civil lawsuits and inquiries.

Late last year, the District of Columbia Attorney General filed two lawsuits in civil court against the Commanders: one for a scheme to defraud fans of their ticket money, and another accusing Snyder, Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the league of conspiring to mislead fans about an investigation into the team’s work environment that resulted in a $10 million fine but no written report. In exchange for returning security deposits to former season ticket holders and forking over a $250,000 fine, the Commanders reached a settlement with the state of Maryland.

The United States is looking into it. Snyder, Goodell, and many other witnesses testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which was established in October 2021, that the team promoted a toxic workplace culture.

Reference: www.usnews.com