• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Why Jerry Jones’ Backing Is Crucial to Dan Snyder

  • Snyder and Jones have been close for many years, and there are no outward signs of a rift.
  • Snyder’s grasp of the Commanders could be tested after latest investigations conclude.
Dan Snyder
Commanders

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder’s very public meeting at midfield with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been open to some interpretation since it went down on Sunday. 

Sources have told Front Office Sports in recent months that Snyder’s relationship with the “shadow commissioner” — as Jones has been called — isn’t quite as strong as in years past. But there was Snyder making his first public appearance in months, standing alongside Jones at midfield of AT&T Stadium. 

A source told FOS that there’s no rift between the two, but added “don’t read too much into” the photo opp. Jones often greets fellow owners on the field, although not always next to the Cowboys’ trademark logo in the middle of the field. 

“Jerry can be quite an ally,” one NFL owner told Front Office Sports. 

There are two investigations — including a nearly yearlong Congressional probe and another independent inquiry by the NFL — expected to conclude in the coming weeks. 

The House Oversight Committee’s investigation — which began as an examination of how the Commanders fostered a toxic workplace culture — has long been expected to wrap up around the midterm elections next month.The probe could conceivably continue until the congressional term ends in early January, and longer if the Democrats maintain control of the House. 

Then there’s May Jo White’s investigation that a source told FOS last week was “close” to being concluded. Sources expect White’s findings wouldn’t be released until after the House Oversight Committee releases its final findings.

Snyder’s wife and Commanders co-CEO Tanya Snyder and team president Jason Wright also met with Jones. Pictures were posted shortly afterward on the team’s official Twitter and Instagram accounts.

There was another maneuver this week some viewed as a preemptive move by Snyder. 

Tom Davis, a former Republican congressman who is one of Snyder’s lawyers, sent a letter to the committee on Wednesday that called into question its investigative methods and intentions. 

Dan Snyder

Former Congressman: Committee ‘Will Fail’ to Oust Dan Snyder

Former Congressman Tom Davis wrote that the committee he once chaired “hasn’t…
October 5, 2022

Since February when ProFootballTalk reported Snyder’s support among ownership has eroded, USA Today and, most recently, The Washington Post have published stories about how many of the NFL’s other 31 owners have lost their patience with Snyder.

Twenty-four owners would be needed to remove Snyder, and the NFL has never forced an owner to sell. The more likely scenario would be a group of owners urging Snyder to sell the team, which Forbes values at $5.6 billion. 

And there are reasons beyond the investigations that Snyder has fallen out of favor with at least some owners.

The Commanders were second-to-last in attendance last year. When Snyder completed the purchase of the franchise in May 1999, the team was in the top five in home attendance.

Teams are required to share a portion of ticket revenue. FOS reported earlier this year that the Commanders may have held back some of that ticket revenue that should have gone into a pool of money distributed to teams. 

There’s also Snyder’s quest for a new stadium to replace FedEx Field. A bill in the Virginia legislature — which would have committed about $300 million in public funding — didn’t have enough support to move forward. 

There’s likely to be a renewed effort on the legislation for a $3 billion domed stadium project in 2023. Other teams — including the Buffalo Bills who received $850 million in public financing for their new stadium — haven’t had as much difficulty in their new stadium pursuits. 

“More and more, owners have had it with him,” one team executive told FOS.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

$600M for Browns Stadium Sparks Cleveland Backlash, Possible Lawsuit

The awarding of public funds draws criticism and could bring a lawsuit.
Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility.
opinion

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners

The conservative “Steeler Way” has finally adapted—and media partners are happy.
Jun 10, 2025; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) participates in a drill during an NFL football minicamp at NRG Stadium.

30 of 32 NFL Second-Round Draft Picks Remain Unsigned

Some rookie training camps start in under two weeks.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Apr 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; (L-R) Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), Ovechkin's wife Nastya, and sons Sergei and Ilya watch a video during a ceremony honoring Ovechkin's becoming the NHL all-time goals leader prior to the Capitals' game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena.

Ted Leonsis Says His $7B Sports Empire Beats the NFL Model

Why synergy is the future of sports ownership.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.
April 14, 2025

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
April 25, 2025

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
March 13, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Was the Prototype for Business Success After Sports

He started with Wendy’s franchises, later expanding into bottling, magazines, and more.
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; A$AP Rocky on the sideline after halftime during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium.
February 27, 2025

A$AP Rocky Could Be Latest Celebrity Owner in English Soccer

Following his acquittal, the rapper is closer to owning Tranmere Rovers.
Oct 23, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley addresses the crowd during the Pat Riley Court dedication ceremony at halftime at Kaseya Center.
February 14, 2025

Here’s Where Pat Riley’s Three-Peat Trademark Money Goes

Riley has the phrase trademarked despite having no three-peat of his own.
Dec 1, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters (L) talks with Commanders owner Josh Harris (R) on the field prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.
December 4, 2024

CEO Leaves $13 Billion Soup Company to Run Commanders

The new president will lead the planning and development of the team’s stadium.