Washington Commanders owner fined $60 million by NFL over harassment and misconduct claims

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Dan Snyder, the longtime owner of the US National Football League’s Washington Commanders, will pay a $60 million fine after an independent investigation found the franchise engaged in financial impropriety and sexually assaulted a former cheerleader.

The report was published on the same day that league owners voted unanimously to approve the sale of the Commanders to private equity billionaire Josh Harris, a record transaction of more than $6 billion that ends a tumultuous tenure of Snyder’s ownership.

Snyder purchased the team in 1999 for a then-record $800 million. His leadership of the club was marred by a protracted battle with Native American groups over the team’s former nickname – the Redskins – as well as allegations that he fostered a toxic workplace environment. There were also revelations of financial irregularities, which led to hearings in Congress.

The NFL’s report, which was commissioned last year and overseen by former US attorney and SEC chair Mary Jo White, reveals a horrifying picture of conduct within the organization.

League commissioner Roger Goodell said, “The conduct attested to in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL.” “We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional.”

The report found that Snyder inappropriately touched Tiffany Johnson, a former cheerleader and marketing employee, at a work dinner and later pushed her toward his limousine in an unsuccessful attempt to leave the event with her.

The report also found that the Commanders’ front office withheld at least $11 million in revenue from the rest of the league. Under NFL bylaws, it is required to share those revenues with the other owners. According to investigators, in 2010, “a former employee, after agreeing to allocate shared revenue to the NFL rather than the college-football game, jokingly emailed the CFO: ‘(i)if the NFL had a prison . . . we’d be in it.'”

The report said investigators corroborated the financial plans through emails, texts, calendars and other materials provided by the commanders. The team denied the allegations after they surfaced during an investigation into other workplace misconduct by the House of Representatives.

The report said the investigation was hampered by limited personal cooperation from Snyder, who did not agree to be interviewed until June 29, and by commanders’ refusal to cooperate “for several months”.

As a result, “based on the available evidence, the investigation neither found nor ruled out that Mr. Snyder directed or personally participated in improperly avoiding revenue sharing to the extent required by NFL policies,” the report said.

In a statement after the team’s sale was approved, new Commanders owner Harris said: “Our promise is simple: We will do the work, create the culture, and make the necessary investments for this team and Washington.”

A spokeswoman for Snyder did not immediately respond to a request for comment.