Investigators Expanding Commanders Probe Into Team’s Finances

A Congressional committee is expanding the scope of its investigation into the Washington Commanders to include whether the team and owner Dan Snyder used “two books” of financial information that paint different pictures of the team’s fiscal situation, sources with knowledge of the investigation told Front Office Sports.

At least one person familiar with the team’s financial health was already interviewed by House Oversight Committee investigators, and the committee is primed to use its subpoena power, FOS has learned through a series of interviews.

Investigators have expanded a probe that started in October amid numerous claims the team fostered a hostile work environment. Among the information committee investigators have either received or are currently seeking: 

• The debt load Snyder has undertaken could be impacting the team’s finances. Snyder received a debt waiver from the league’s owners at the NFL’s annual meeting a year ago in order to finance a large chunk of the nearly $1 billion used to purchase the 40% of the franchise he didn’t already own.
• The committee is seeking interviews and documents related to allegations that the Commanders used deceptive accounting practices.
• Investigators also received allegations of pay disparity between male and female employees, including bonuses.

Commanders Deny Wrongdoing

“The team categorically denies any suggestion of financial impropriety of any kind at any time,” the Commanders said in a statement Thursday. 

A House Oversight Committee spokesperson in a statement to FOS that it “will follow the facts wherever they may lead.”