Things for the Washington Commanders keep getting worse.
However, this time it’s dragging the NFL’s image down with them.
First, it started with the original name of the Commanders.
Next, news of the team recording their cheerleaders topless came to light.
Now there’s a new story that’s putting another black eye on the Commanders and the NFL.
New Investigation Alleges Commanders Hid And Withheld Refundable Deposits
A Congressional committee is now alleging that the Commanders withheld money that was deposited by season ticket holders.
The money was refundable to the people that purchased the season tickets to Commanders’ games.
In a letter sent to the FTC, the Committee on Oversight and Reform alleges around $5 million was withheld by the Commanders.
The $5 million comes from over 2,000 season ticket holders.
The investigation started into the Commanders months ago because of the team’s prior sexual harassment accusations.
Proud to continue my work with @RepMaloney as our investigation into sexual harassment and workplace misconduct by Washington @Commanders executives has uncovered potentially illegal business activities conducted at the expense of NFL fans, the league, and other teams. https://t.co/N62HU4H1Yp
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) April 12, 2022
It was that investigation that led to the findings with these new allegations against Washington.
However, Commanders owner Daniel Snyder has yet to step down considering these new allegations.
Snyder Keeps Weathering The Storm
Snyder keeps sticking with the Commanders as their team owner.
These new allegations directly link him to troubling financial misconduct of fans’ refundable deposits.
However, misconduct accusations are nothing new to Snyder.
A lawsuit between former Commanders cheerleaders and the team alleged they were filmed partially nude at the behest of Snyder.
He has denied any involvement with the filming of those cheerleaders.
However, that lawsuit resulted in the team and cheerleaders coming to a settlement.
Same goes for the NDAs of the cheerleaders in the Washington Commanders videos that Dan Snyder ordered be made from inappropriate footage taken at calendar shoots. They settled in Dec 2020 and have since been silenced. #ReleaseTheReport #TakeCommand #nfl https://t.co/0z5YCOtGjZ
— Melanie Coburn (@melanietc) February 19, 2022
With that in mind, everything coming from the team and Snyder reflect poorly on the NFL brand.
If the NFL continues to allow Snyder to stay as owner, it can further tarnish their image.
Should The NFL Step In Now With Snyder In Light Of New Investigation?
Everything coming from Washington over the past couple of years is highly troubling.
It makes fans doubt the leadership of the team and could make other fans question their team’s actions.
If what’s happening with Washington is happening with other teams, the NFL would face serious problems.
That’s why they need to step in now and show they take these things seriously.
However, if they don’t, the fans won’t have faith in how the team is run by owners.
But this isn’t the first time something bad with an NFL team’s owner has made news.
Is The NFL Taking A Wait And See Approach With Snyder Like They Did With Kraft?
Snyder isn’t alone in misconduct allegations as New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft had his own problems.
The charges against Kraft ended in dismissal, but were still troubling to hear.
However, the NFL didn’t step in during the investigation into Kraft.
That might be the approach the NFL takes with Snyder with these allegations.
With all these allegations against Snyder building up, it could be the wrong move.
It could tarnish the NFL shield if these stories are true and they do nothing.
Waiting until it’s too late isn’t the best move for the NFL.
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