In a groundbreaking move, the NFL has imposed a colossal $60 million fine on Dan Snyder, the outgoing owner of the Washington Commanders. This hefty penalty comes in the wake of an independent investigation that unearthed both sexual harassment committed by Snyder himself and financial misconduct perpetrated by executives under his guidance. The league made this significant announcement on Thursday.
Heading the independent investigation was Mary Jo White, a former chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ms. White’s comprehensive 23-page report established that Snyder had sexually harassed Tiffani Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing employee, who departed from the team in 2008. The incident occurred during or after a dinner at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., either in 2005 or 2006. The report underscored the credibility of Ms. Johnston’s account, which was further corroborated by other witnesses and evidence.
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The investigation also substantiated claims made by Jason Friedman, a former employee who served the team from 1996 to 2020. According to Ms. White and her investigators, the Commanders had concealed approximately $11 million in revenue that should have been shared with the NFL as part of revenue-sharing requirements. Additionally, the team hid an undisclosed sum of revenue derived from ticket sales, parking fees, and licensing fees.
However, the report couldn’t conclusively establish Snyder’s personal involvement in concealing the revenue.
According to the NFL’s news release, Snyder will have to pay $60 million to the league as a resolution for Ms. White’s findings and all pending matters.
Snyder’s ownership tenure since acquiring the Commanders in 1999 has been marred by numerous issues. Last year, the House Oversight and Reform Committee accused him of interfering in a separate NFL investigation conducted by attorney Beth Wilkinson, which dealt with allegations of sexual harassment by team executives.
In light of Ms. White’s report, attorneys Lisa J. Banks and Debra S. Katz, questioned why the NFL and Roger Goodell allowed Snyder to retain ownership despite being repeatedly informed about the various allegations against him through testimonies, investigations, and congressional inquiries.
The NFL shared that Ms. White’s extensive 17-month investigation involved interviews with dozens of witnesses and the review of more than 10,000 documents. This thorough examination underscored the seriousness with which the league approached the matter, aiming to ensure transparency and a fair resolution.
