29 March 2023 , 20:54
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has committed to releasing any report on the investigation into Washington Commanders owner, Dan Snyder, despite talks of the franchise being sold.
Snyder has been under fire since an investigation commissioned by the NFL in 2020. An independent counsel led by Beth Wilkinson, stated that the franchise's workplace environment "both generally and particularly for women, was highly unprofessional."
The Commanders and Snyder are still under investigation by former US Attorney Mary Jo White, who was retained by the league to look into various aspects of the organisation coming from a congressional review into workplace misconduct. The review also included a referral to the Federal Trade Commission for potential business improprieties.
During his deposition, Snyder said: "I've said numerous times, and continue to state, we apologize for any workplace misconduct of the team". Speaking this week, NFL commissioner Goodell said: “We'll allow (White) to do her job and then we'll see where we are.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants the NFL to release the entire White report when it is complete despite a potential sale of the Commanders. Jones and Snyder go way back. He took Snyder under his wing when he bought the Washington franchise in 1999, and the pair have remained close since.
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On why he wants the report released in full, Jones said: “Because I know everything in the report.”
The Commanders and Snyder are still under investigation by former US Attorney Mary Jo White (Getty)Josh Harris’ takeover bid for the Commanders, which he has been joined by Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Magic Johnson, has reportedly submitted a bid matching franchise owner Snyder’s asking price. They have officially submitted a fully-financed bid worth a record-breaking $6billion (£4.8bn).
Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos also has submitted a fully funded $6bn offer for the Commanders, according to ESPN. Should a sale be sanctioned, it would break the franchise sale record held by Walmart heir Rob Walton, who bought the Denver Broncos for $4.65bn last August.
Harris and Johnson already have experience in owning sports teams. In 2011, Johnson joined the bid group led by Guggenheim executives to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers. Johnson put in $50million (£40.7m) into the $2bn+ sale, and the Dodgers are now valued at north of $5bn.