Dan Snyder Stepping Away From Washington Football Team Day-To-Day Operations
Washington Football Team owner Daniel Snyder is moving away from day-to-day operations of the team, he said in a statement released on social media.
The announcement comes on the same day that the NFL levied a $10 million fine against the Football Team following an investigation into workplace misconduct and one day after Snyder's wife Tanya was named co-CEO of the organization. Snyder said his wife will be in charge "for the next several months."
The investigation started last summer and was spearheaded by lawyer Beth Wilkinson. It concluded that ownership and other senior officials largely ignored sexual harassment claims and other workplace misconduct that made the atmosphere "highly unprofessional."
While the Football Team was fined, the punishment will not result in the loss of draft picks, as some suspected.
“I have learned a lot in the past few months about how my club operated, and the kind of
workplace that we had. It is now clear that the culture was not what it should be, but I did not
realize the extent of the problems, or my role in allowing that culture to develop and continue. I know that as the owner, I am ultimately responsible for the workplace. I have said that and I say it again.
“I feel great remorse for the people who had difficult, even traumatic, experiences while
working here. I’m truly sorry for that. I can’t turn back the clock, but I promise that nobody
who works here will ever have that kind of experience again, at least not as long as Tanya and I are the owners of this team.
“Over the last 18 months we have made a lot of changes. We have a new and diverse
leadership team, a comprehensive program of training, culture surveys, and employee support, and a commitment to ensuring that every employee of the Washington Football Club comes to a professional and respectful workplace every day. And while there has been real progress, we are not finished, and will continue to improve in every way that we can.
“I appreciate the people who came forward and intend fully to implement all of the
recommendations coming out of the investigation. Going forward, my focus will be on making the Washington Football Team a source of pride to all of its employees, fans and partners, including my partners in the NFL.
“I agree with the Commissioner’s decisions in this matter and am committed to
implementing his investigation’s important recommendations. Tanya will assume the responsibilities of CEO and will oversee all day-to-day team operations and represent the club on all league activities. I will concentrate my time during the next several months on developing a new stadium plan and other matters.
“Tanya and I are grateful, and truly blessed, to lead such a wonderful organization that has
always stood for excellence and winning. We look forward to focusing on the Team’s
community-building and charitable efforts, and we are confident that, with coach Ron Rivera
and team president Jason Wright, we have an outstanding management team who will
implement real change and bring a Super Bowl championship back to our nation’s capital.”
The news comes one day after the Wall Street Journal reported that Snyder was more involved with the Washington Football Team "than ever."