NFL fines Washington $10M after misconduct investigation – KIRO 7 News Seattle

The NFL fined the Washington Football team $ 10 million and owner Dan Snyder is retiring from day-to-day operations for several months after an independent investigation found the organization’s workplace “very unprofessional” , especially for women.

No draft picks have been withdrawn from the team and no formal suspensions have been issued under league discipline announced Thursday following the investigation into lawyer Beth Wilkinson that began last summer.

The investigation, which the club was running on allegations made by employees and taken over by the league, found that property and senior officials paid little attention to sexual harassment and other workplace issues. NFL Special Investigative Attorney Lisa Friel described it as a culture of fear.

“The culture in the club was very toxic and far below the NFL values, and we keep ownership at a higher level,” said Friel.

Lawyers representing 40 former Washington employees criticized the NFL for choosing to protect Snyder and ignoring the request to publish the report, calling the fine “pocket money.”

“This is truly outrageous and a slap in the face to the hundreds of women and former employees who have come forward in good faith and at great personal risk to report a culture of abuse at all levels of the team, including by Snyder himself. “Said lawyers Lisa Banks and Debra Katz in a statement.

“The NFL has effectively told survivors in this country and around the world that it does not care for them or value their experiences.”

The league said Wilkinson interviewed more than 150 people, including current and former employees. Friel said that individual allegations based on confidentiality agreements requested by many people were not part of Wilkinson’s findings and that there was no written report, only an oral presentation.

Snyder said his wife, Tanya, will lead the “next few months” while he focuses on stadium efforts and other business ventures. Tanya Snyder was named co-CEO on Tuesday. The NFL made no mention of Snyder being officially suspended.

Janet Nova, the League’s deputy chief attorney for Media and Economic Affairs, said that Dan Snyder is stepping down for this period – until the fall – is “voluntary” and not a mandate. Tanya Snyder will represent Washington in all league functions.

Banks and Katz described Tanya Snyder’s promotion as “a superficial attempt to show progress without making significant changes to the organization.”

Wilkinson recommended establishing harassment reporting logs, a disciplinary action plan, and regular employee training. She also said the cheerleading team – which is now a mixed dance team as part of an organizational overhaul of game day entertainment – needs protection.

The league praised Snyder for hiring Ron Rivera as coach in early 2020 and Jason Wright as team president last summer.

“Over the past 18 months Dan and Tanya have recognized the need for change and taken important steps to make the workplace comfortable and dignified for all employees,” said Commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “These changes, if sustainable and based on them, should enable the club to achieve its goal of having a really great place to work.”

Friel said Wilkinson was not tasked with making recommendations about Dan Snyder’s sale or suspension of the team.

“I mentioned accountability, as we said in the publication imposed by the Commissioner, which, in his opinion, is the best way to take into account the results that have been communicated to us from the investigation that has happened over the past 18 months, will also be maintained in the future, ”said Friel.

Snyder said in a statement that he agreed with the Commissioner’s decisions and was “obliged to implement the important recommendations of his investigation”.

“I’ve learned a lot over the past few months about how my club works and what kind of job we had. It is now clear that the culture was not what it was supposed to be, but I was unaware of the scale of the problems and my role in developing and perpetuating that culture, ”said Snyder. “I know that as the owner, I am ultimately responsible for the workplace.”

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