Snyder issued a written statement through the team in which he said: “The behavior described in yesterday’s Washington Post article has no place in our franchise or society.
“This story has strengthened my commitment to setting a new culture and standard for our team, a process that began with the hiring of Coach [Ron] Rivera earlier this year.”
“These matters as reported are serious, disturbing and contrary to the NFL’s values,” the league’s statement said. “Everyone in the NFL has the right to work in an environment free from any and all forms of harassment. Washington has engaged outside counsel to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations. The club has pledged that it will give its full cooperation to the investigator and we expect the club and all employees to do so. We will meet with the attorneys upon the conclusion of their investigation and take any action based on the findings.”
The team said Thursday that it had hired D.C. attorney Beth Wilkinson and her firm, Wilkinson Walsh, “to conduct a thorough independent review of this entire matter and help the team set new employee standards for the future.”
Snyder said Friday that Wilkinson’s review will be independent.
“Beth Wilkinson and her firm are empowered to do a full, unbiased investigation and make any and all requisite recommendations. Upon completion of her work, we will institute new policies and procedures and strengthen our human resources infrastructure to not only avoid these issues in the future but most importantly create a team culture that is respectful and inclusive of all.”
Ralph Northam, Virginia’s Democratic governor, called on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to take action. Redskins Park, the team’s headquarters, is located in Ashburn, Va., and the team has held previous training camps in Richmond.
“The allegations against the Washington football team’s management are serious and disturbing,” Northam said in a written statement provided to The Post. “I’m especially concerned that so much of this behavior is detailed to have occurred across Virginia, where the team has offices and practice facilities. Commissioner Goodell needs to step in and get to the bottom of this, and quickly.”
The women’s allegations spanned from 2006 to 2019 and were made against Larry Michael, the team’s former senior vice president of content and its play-by-play announcer on its radio broadcasts; Alex Santos, the team’s former director of pro personnel; Richard Mann II, the team’s former assistant director of pro personnel; Dennis Greene, former president of business operations; and Mitch Gershman, former chief operating officer.
No women accused Snyder or former team president Bruce Allen of inappropriate behavior. But some expressed skepticism that Snyder and Allen were unaware of the behavior. The women blamed the team for having an understaffed human resources department and said they viewed an environment of verbal abuse by top executives as contributing to the team’s inappropriate treatment of employees.
Santos and Mann were fired by the Redskins last weekend. Michael announced his retirement this week.
The individuals accused of misconduct also could be subject to potential discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
The NFL fined former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson $2.75 million in 2018 after investigating claims of workplace misconduct against him. Richardson sold his team to David Tepper.
In the Panthers case, the NFL took over the investigation from the team after Sports Illustrated reported that four former team employees received significant financial settlements, accompanied by nondisclosure agreements, following accusations of inappropriate behavior and workplace comments by Richardson, including sexually suggestive remarks and acts. There also was a reported incident in which Richardson used a racial slur at an African-American team employee.
The NFL’s investigation, conducted by former U.S. attorney and SEC chairwoman Mary Jo White, concluded there was no information to discredit the claims made against Richardson.
The Washington team has announced plans to change its controversial name, long considered by some observers to be offensive to Native Americans. The allegations also come with Snyder’s minority ownership partners — Fred Smith, Dwight Schar and Robert Rothman — having hired an investment banking firm to attempt to sell their ownership shares. They own an estimated 40 percent of the team.
Read more from The Post:
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Daniel Snyder says alleged Redskins behavior ‘has no place’ in franchise; NFL to consider discipline - The Washington Post"
Post a Comment