Former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder was punished by the NFL as he was walking out the door.
Moments after the NFL announced the sale of the Commanders to the group led by Josh Harris, the league announced the findings of its 17-month investigation into Snyder and said he will be fined $60 million.
The NFL said Tiffani Johnston’s allegations that Snyder put his hand on her thigh without her consent and pushed her back into a car seat in an effort to get her to join him after dinner were substantiated.
The league said the same about allegations that the club intentionally shielded and withheld approximately $11 million in NFL revenue share.
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Team co-owner Dan Snyder speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team’s name change to the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on February 2, 2022. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The league also said Snyder and the club»could not cooperate» during the investigation, which contributed to the investigation taking longer and the NFL being unable to determine how much proceeds were protected. The extent of Snyder’s knowledge and involvement in the financial maneuvering, the $11 million, was all that was identified.
“The conduct based on Ms. [Mary Jo] White’s findings have no place in the NFL,» NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “We strive to have workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the values of the NFL.»
The fine is also derived from «all outstanding matters», the commissioner said.
Snyder had come under fire in recent years and faced pressure to sell the team. The team changed its original name from the Redskins following race riots in 2020, and the organization was fined $10 million following an investigation into alleged workplace misconduct.
Washington Commanders co-owner Dan Snyder speaks as co-owner Tanya Snyder listens during a press conference revealing the Commanders as the new name for Washington’s soccer team at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland on February 2, 2022. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)
NFL OWNERS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE SALE OF COMMANDERS TO HARRIS GROUP
Congress began investigating the team in October 2021 when allegations of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct surfaced after Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden resigned following leaked emails with Commander’s president, Bruce Allen.
The owners unanimously approved the sale Thursday for $6.05 billion. Harris’ group includes longtime business associate David Blitzer. The two own the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers. NBA legend Magic Johnson and billionaire Mitchell Rales are also part of the group.
Snyder first bought the Commanders in 1999 for $750 million. Following a series of investigations by the NFL and Congress into allegations of widespread workplace misconduct and possible financial improprieties, calls for Snyder to sell the team increased.
Washington Commanders owners Tanya Snyder and Dan Snyder walk across the field before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on October 2, 2022. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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In 2021, the Snyders bought out the shares from the previous minority owners. In November, they hired Bank of America Securities to explore a possible sale.
The deal with the Harris group surpasses the previous record set by Walmart heir Robert Walton, who bought the Denver Broncos last year for 4.550 million dollars.
Paulina Dedaj of Fox News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.