NFL: House Committee Says Commanders' Owner 'Obstructed' Inquiry

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Facts

  • The US House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Thursday said Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder "obstructed" a congressional investigation into his football team and gave "misleading" testimony.
  • The committee released a 79-page report claiming that Snyder "permitted and participated" in the team’s reportedly toxic work culture amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.
  • The report said Snyder evaded questions over 100 times, claiming he didn't know the answer or could not recall information. Snyder is also accused of publically assailing witnesses, refusing to release former employees from confidentiality agreements, and blocking Congressional access to thousands of documents.
  • The Committee also claims that Snyder interfered with an NFL investigation into the team’s culture that started in July 2020, with the NFL fining the Commanders $10M. The results weren’t publicly released.
  • Committee Chair Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) claims the NFL knew about the pervasive misconduct in Washington but chose not to meaningfully address it. She contends that the NFL investigation was essentially a public relations stunt and the league was only intent on burying its findings.
  • Snyder’s representatives say the Committee’s report is a "one-sided" attack, with House Republicans saying they will drop the case once they take control of the lower chamber next month.

Sources: Axios, ESPN, Bleacher Report, FOX News, and NPR Online News.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Pro Football Network. The House Oversight Committee's report is a damning indictment of Dan Snyder and the toxic culture he created as Washington’s NFL owner. Not only did Snyder turn a blind eye to abhorrent behavior like sexual harassment, but he also actively participated in such behavior. To make things worse, Snyder did all he could to obstruct investigations, tamper with witnesses, and exacerbate problems.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by INT. Committee Democrats are more concerned with investigating the non-criminal activities of a professional football team than they are with providing relief to the American people during troubling economic times. The Democrats are suspiciously using their power to push out Dan Snyder as mega-donor Jeff Bezos expresses interest in buying the Washington Commanders.