An NFL owners vote to remove Dan Snyder from control of the Washington Commanders has reportedly been placed on hold amid sale talks rumbling on.
Commanders owner Snyder has been under fire since an investigation commissioned by the NFL in 2020, and led by independent counsel Beth Wilkinson, stated that the franchise's workplace environment "both generally and particularly for women, was highly unprofessional."
The statement also said that "numerous female employees reported having experienced sexual harassment " and that bullying and intimidation were rampant amid a culture of fear. Snyder and his wife, co-owner Tanya Snyder, announced in November that they were considering "potential transactions" involving the team.
But according to the Washington Post, discussions about a vote to remove Snyder as Washington Commanders owner have reportedly taken place among NFL owners - but talks have paused as they wait to see developments on a potential sale.
The NFL owners meeting begins on Sunday in Arizona but no major developments are expected. The Post says a source expects the three-day annual meeting to be “uneventful”, and that the owners are “not going to move toward voting him out right now. This has to play out over some time. We have to see what happens.”
The report added: “The owners are waiting to see what occurs over the coming weeks and possibly months with Snyder’s attempt to sell the franchise, his efforts to secure indemnification against legal liability and the outcome of the league’s second investigation into him and the team, said those people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic.”
Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils owner Josh Harris is emerging as the favourite to acquire the Commanders. Harris has brought in Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson to strengthen his bid.
Sportico says that NBA legend Johnson was also part of Harris’ failed bid for the NFL’s Denver Broncos in 2022. Johnson is providing both money and expertise to the Commanders bid, however it is unclear how much Johnson will contribute towards the bid which could top $6billion (£4.8bn).
Harris, Johnson and Co will reportedly rival Amazon supremo Jeff Bezos in a bid to buy NFL outfit. Bezos’ efforts to acquire the Commanders comes as the billionaire looks to build on his Washington portfolio, where he already owns the world renowned Washington Post. However, Snyder isn’t keen for Bezos to be in the running for the Commanders as the publication released a number of articles raising the alleged cases of sexual harassment in the NFL franchise.
