An official report released on Thursday by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform alleged that the Washington Commanders had fostered a toxic work environment for over 20 years.
Former female employees reported that the organization’s top management had overlooked and minimized sexual misconduct. They described numerous instances of harassment by men in top positions at the Commanders.
The report also accused the team’s owner, Dan Snyder, of inappropriately touching a former employee during a dinner and instructing staff to create a DVD of sexually explicit cheerleader footage.
According to the report, cheerleader candidates had to walk on the field “as [Snyder] and his friends observed from his suite with binoculars,” as stated in the report.
Allegations Against the Washington Commanders
The investigation that led to the report’s publication was initiated in October 2021 due to the NFL’s failure to disclose the findings of its evaluation of the Commanders’ workplace environment.
The NFL’s investigation by attorney Beth Wilkinson concluded in the summer of 2021, resulting in a $10 million fine for the team.
Representative Carolyn B. Maloney, chair of the House committee, stated, “Our report reveals the narrative of a team rampant with sexual harassment and misconduct, a billionaire owner focused on evading responsibility, and a powerful organization that chose to conceal rather than pursue accountability and support its employees.”
What is Owner Dan Snyder Accused Of?
Snyder has faced particularly damning accusations, with many alleging that he cultivated a “toxic culture” at the workplace.
The team owner was accused of “intimidating witnesses” and “refusing to release former employees from their confidentiality agreements” as part of efforts to obstruct the investigation.
Snyder was accused of obstructing access to over 40,000 documents during the Wilkinson probe through a clandestine deal with the NFL.
The House committee labeled Snyder as “evasive” and “misleading,” asserting that he initiated a covert investigation to “portray himself as the victim of a defamation campaign and deflect responsibility for the organization’s destructive work culture.”
NFL Accused of Misleading the Public
The report criticized the NFL for providing misleading information regarding the handling of the Wilkinson Investigation and failing to hold accountable those implicated.
The NFL does not require clubs to disclose nondisclosure and confidentiality agreements.
The organization has failed to “ensure that its workplaces are free from discrimination and harassment.”
What’s Next for Dan Snyder?
Dan Snyder, who has weathered a lot of controversy during his 23-year ownership of the Washington club, still needs to fully address the findings of the report.
In October, Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, stated to the media that Snyder should be compelled to sell the team. Over the past year, there have been rumors that his fellow owners share this view.
No team owner has ever been forced to resign in the league’s 102-year history, so this would be a complex process.
Reports suggest that Snyder has pledged to take all necessary measures to maintain control of the franchise, even if it leads to “significant ramifications.”
