• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 5, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!
Law

Congress Grills Roger Goodell on Why Dan Snyder Hasn’t Been Expelled

  • Rep. Rashida Tlaib asks Goodell why he hasn’t ‘removed’ Snyder as controlling owner of the Commanders.
  • Goodell tells Congress that Snyder and the Commanders have been held to account for toxic workplace that once existed with team.
Congress NFL
A.J. Perez/FOS

WASHINGTON — Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s allotted time to question Roger Goodell ticked down when she asked the NFL Commissioner one final question: “Will you remove him?”

The “him” would be embattled Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder, whose conduct was a focal point of Wednesday’s House Oversight Committee hearing. 

“I don’t have the authority to remove him,” Goodell answered via Zoom. 

Goodell gave a similar response before Super Bowl LVI in February, and he’s not wrong. Goodell doesn’t have the unilateral authority to strip any owner of a franchise, although he could submit an owner for removal to the executive committee, composed of the controlling owner from each NFL team. 

From there, 24 owners would have to vote for Snyder’s expulsion — something that has not happened to a controlling owner in league history. 

Sources with knowledge of the situation told Front Office Sports there weren’t enough votes as of now to oust Snyder, although several owners have been keeping an eye on all the controversies that have swirled around the Commanders. 

The hearing that spanned about two hours included some new nuggets from the Oversight Committee’s investigation focused on allegations that the Commanders fostered a hostile work environment. 

  • Snyder’s attorneys used  “shadow investigation” tactics aimed at discrediting accusers and journalists. 
  • Private investigators hired by Snyder and his legal team were sent “to the homes of former cheerleaders and gathered thousands of emails from former Commanders President Bruce Allen in an attempt to “scapegoat” the fired former team exec as the cause of the toxic environment. 
  • Snyder’s legal push to uncover those behind an alleged misinformation campaign launched against him in 2020 was actually an effort to “unmask” anonymous sources who spoke to The Washington Post. 

Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-New York) announced during the hearing that the committee intends to subpoena Snyder, who cited a business commitment as a reason he was not able to attend the hearing. 

“It is clear the outcome of the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into the Washington Commanders was predetermined from the beginning,” a spokesperson for Snyder said in a statement.

“The committee’s decision to release a ‘report’ and introduce legislation prior to the hearing is proof-positive this was always going to be little more than a politically charged show trial, not about uncovering the truth. Hopefully, the committee will utilize its resources going forward for more pressing national matters, instead of an issue a football team addressed years ago.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) was asked outside the chamber if he thought Snyder committed any crimes. 

“I don’t know the answer to that question,” Raskin said. “I think everybody who’s a football fan in our area has an interest in seeing that the Commanders have a sexual harassment-free workplace and that women are treated equally there. We also have an interest in seeing that the legal process is not abused in order to intimidate people.”

Goodell said multiple times during the hearing that Snyder had been held accountable by the league, including by issuing a $10 million fine against the team last July at the conclusion of an NFL-backed investigation by former U.S. Attorney Beth Wilkinson. At the NFL’s request, a written report was not generated for that investigation. 

Former SEC chief Mary Jo White is currently conducting another investigation that will look into new claims made against Snyder along with allegations of financial improprieties. 

“I think that the jury’s still out,” Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Michigan) told reporters. “I think that we gotta get that report [by White] and then see how they handle that to really determine whether anyone’s gonna be held accountable.”

The hearing comes as Snyder has led an effort to replace FedEx Field. Legislation to create a stadium authority stalled earlier this month in Virginia

“The Commanders can’t have it both ways,” Raskin said. “You can’t be constantly asking the public for subsidies and investment and then not observing basic laws that govern the workplace.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

opinion

Brady Still Has Conflict of Interest. NFL Is Clearly Unconcerned

The league doesn’t see an issue with Brady being a minority owner.
opinion

NFL RedZone Changes Have Nothing to Do With ESPN Deal

Four 15-second spots will air over RedZone’s seven hours in Week 1.
Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts on the field after the coin toss prior to the Chiefs' game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

Chiefs Enter Brazil Game With Eye on Becoming ‘World’s Team’

The Chiefs are playing in a record fourth foreign country.

Featured Today

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Nov 9, 2024; Avondale, Arizona, USA; 23XI Racing team owner Michael Jordan during qualifying for the Cup Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

Jordan Can’t Bar Charter Sales Because NASCAR Agreed Not to Sell Charters

The contentious antitrust suit is slated to go to trial this December.
Megan Romano
September 4, 2025

The $800 Million Enhanced Games Lawsuit Could Have Legs

Antitrust experts say the case could have some merit.
Feb 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue scratches his head after calling a time out as forward Kawhi Leonard (2) walks past in the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena.
September 4, 2025

Kawhi Leonard’s Alleged ‘No Show’ Job Is Latest in Complex Clippers Relationship

Leonard’s high-profile 2019 recruitment continues to generate headlines years later.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
Oct 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the Fox Sports Southwest logo during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 123-104.
September 3, 2025

Fox, Hairstylist Settle Bombshell Sexual Harassment Lawsuit

Skip Bayless, Charlie Dixon, and Joy Taylor all denied claims of wrongdoing.
Michael Jordan
August 29, 2025

Texts From Michael Jordan, NASCAR Bosses Aired Out in Court: ‘I Have..

Jordan said he plans on “going down with fire” against NASCAR.
Barstool
August 29, 2025

Barstool Sues for Millions Over Failed Sponsorship Deal 

The media company says it was stiffed to the tune of $4.2 million.
Mar 12, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani talks with translator Ippei Mizuhara in the dugout against the San Francisco Giants during a spring training baseball game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
August 29, 2025

Bookie Believes Shohei Ohtani ‘Was Aware’ of Interpreter’s Gambling

Mathew Bowyer ran the illegal gambling business used by interpreter Ippei Mizuhara.