Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder won’t attend next week’s hearing in front of the House Oversight Committee, but NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell accepted the invite.
Snyder’s attorney stated in a letter to Congress that he’d be out of the country for business for the June 22 hearing. Congress requested Snyder and Goodell to attend the hearing earlier this month.
“The Committee intends to move forward with this hearing,” a House Oversight Committee spokesperson said in a statement to Front Office Sports on Wednesday. “We are currently reviewing Mr. Snyder’s letter and will respond.”
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told FOS Wednesday in a text message that Goodell will appear virtually. It will be the first time since 2009 Goodell that will testify on Capitol Hill.
A source close to Snyder told FOS that Snyder “remains willing to continue cooperating with the Committee, but is unable to attend the June 22 hearing given the Committee’s disregard for due process.”
The source also said the Oversight Committee declined “multiple reasonable requests surrounding a potential appearance” by Snyder.
The Oversight Committee launched its investigation into the Commanders in October, a probe that centered around allegations the team fostered a hostile workplace environment. The Committee held a roundtable hearing in February before the investigation shifted to include allegations of financial irregularities.
The Oversight Committee could use its subpoena power to compel Snyder and Goodell to testify.
“We, along with our clients, are disappointed but not surprised that Dan Snyder does not have the courage to appear voluntarily,” Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, lawyers who represent more than 40 former Commanders, said in a statement. “We fully expect the Committee will issue a subpoena to compel Mr. Snyder to appear. It is time that Mr. Snyder learns that he is not above the law.”
