Tanya Snyder 'Mortified' As NFL Fines Washington Football Team $10 Million, Owner Dan 'Steps Aside Temporarily'
The Washington Football Team has been fined $10 million as a result of the league's investigation into the team's workplace culture. This comes based on the outcome of the review of the franchise, which was led by independent counsel Beth Wilkinson.
All $10 million of the fine will be used to "support organizations committed to character education, anti-bullying, healthy relationships and related topics," according to a league statement.
“I’m mortified to think that’s happening in our building and our business,” WFT's co-CEO Tanya Snyder said in a statement.
In addition to the organization being fined $10 million, Dan Snyder will also "temporarily remove himself from day-to-day business operations of the club, ceding that control to his wife and new co-chief executive, Tanya Snyder."
Dan Snyder will continue to attend games. As the New York Times reports, he will "continue to work on long-term projects, including searching for a new team name and new stadium."
All senior executives, including both of the Snyders, will now take part in training in workplace conduct, covering topics such as bullying, diversity and inclusion, LGBTQ+ issues, and other issues.
"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," Dan Snyder said in a statement.
"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."
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Dan Snyder recently took full control of the team when he agreed to buy out minority owners who held about 40 percent of the franchise. On Tuesday, it was announced that Tanya would oversee operations as the co-CEO.
The new announcement also stresses future leadership changes are coming, saying these changes will be “led by the Snyders, head coach Ron Rivera, and team president Jason Wright, Washington has assembled one of the most unique and diverse executive teams in all of sports.”
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Washington will now be required to report its progress to the league office in implementing each of recommendations made by Wilkinson. The first report will due by July 31, prior to the start of the 2021 preseason.
WFT will also be required to report the results of the surveys and all complaints, including from exit interviews, to the league office.
"I agree with the Commissioner's decisions in this matter and am committed to implementing his investigation's important recommendations," Dan Snyder said in his statement.
Wilkinson was hired by the Snyders last year to investigate the allegations of wrongdoing within the organization. That inquiry was eventually taken over by the NFL when Dan Snyder himself was implicated in some of the wrongdoing.
And now, Tanya Snyder will have an increasingly ongoing role in the day-to-day operations of the team.
CONTINUE READING: WFT's McLaurin Praises Rivera And Smith For 'No Sorry-For-Me' Attitude
