• Loading stock data...
Friday, November 22, 2024

Commanders Probe Shows ‘Unlawful Pattern of Financial Conduct’

  • House Oversight Committee shared details of its investigation with the Federal Trade Commission.
  • A 20-page letter was sent to the FTC by the committee on Tuesday.
Commanders FTC Letter
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The House Oversight Committee alleged the Washington Commanders committed a “troubling, long-running, and potentially unlawful pattern of financial conduct” in a letter sent to the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday. 

The 20-page letter detailed how for years the Commanders underreported ticket revenue to the NFL and alleged that owner Dan Snyder had knowledge of some of the schemes first reported by Front Office Sports on April 2. 

Jason Friedman, a former Commanders’ ticket sales executive who worked for the franchise for 24 years, provided much of the information to the committee used in the letter, including spreadsheets and emails. The attorneys general for Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell were sent copies of the letter signed by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-New York), the chair of the committee. 

Snyder Implicated in Scheme

The allegations of financial improprieties date back to right after Snyder purchased the franchise for $800 million in 1999. 

  • The Commanders “created artificial barriers to discourage customers from requesting” refundable deposits due to them. Friedman provided documents that showed the Commanders still held about $5 million in unreturned deposits from around 2,000 accounts as of July 2016. 
  • The team “repeatedly concealed ticket sales revenue that should have been shared with the NFL.”
  • The methods used to conceal revenue from the NFL was known internally as “the juice.”

“This new information on potential financial misconduct suggests that the rot under Dan Snyder’s leadership is much deeper than imagined,” Maloney said in a statement.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) smiles while answering a question Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, after an Indiana Fever practice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Caitlin Clark a ‘Vital’ Part of Cincinnati NWSL Bid As League Expands

The WNBA superstar has joined an NWSL expansion bid in Cincinnati.
Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

What’s Next for Hapless Jets?

0:00

Featured Today

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis acknowledges a fan before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium.

Mark Davis to Unload More of the Raiders

He’s agreed to give 15% to new owners, shortly after the Brady sale.
Michele Kang
November 19, 2024

Michele Kang Drops Whopping $30 Million on U.S. Soccer

It’s the largest gift to the federation focused on girls and women.
Aaron Rodgers
November 19, 2024

Jets Clean House With Only Aaron Rodgers Remaining

Joe Douglas’s firing wasn’t a surprise, but the timing was.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 18, 2024

Roaring to the Top: Lions Become Super Bowl Favorites for First Time

This is the first time in franchise history Detroit is favored to win the Super Bowl.
November 17, 2024

Dallas Wings Secure No. 1 WNBA Pick Projected to be Paige Bueckers

Bueckers has endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade and an equity stake in Unrivaled.
November 13, 2024

NHL’s Smallest-Market Team Is Breaking Records, Securing Its Future

Both wins and attendance are way up for the often-overlooked NHL franchise.
Nov 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) in the third quarter at Target Center.
November 13, 2024

Trail Blazers Troll Fan With Gambling Addiction Helpline

The official account suggested that a complaining fan on X/Twitter should call 1-800-GAMBLER.