NFL approve sale of Washington Commanders

Outgoing Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has agreed to pay the NFL $60million following an independent investigation into allegations of workplace and financial improprieties, the league announced Thursday.

The investigation, led by former U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White, found that Snyder sexually harassed a former team employee and withheld around $11m in revenue from other owners by deliberately omitting ticket sales revenue on reports sent to the league.

The NFL released the findings of the year-long investigation shortly after the owners unanimously approved Snyder's agreement to sell the Commanders to a group led by Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris for $6.05billion, the highest purchase price ever for a North American professional sports franchise.

The investigation was prompted by testimony given by Tiffani Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing employee, to a Congressional hearing looking into allegations of workplace misconduct within the organisation in February 2022.

Johnston stated that Snyder placed his hand on her thigh during a work-related dinner and pushed her towards his limousine after the function in an unsuccessful attempt to have her ride with him.

White's investigative team conducted several interviews with Johnston on the matter and found her to be "highly credible," and her account of the events was corroborated by other witnesses, according to the report.

“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL," Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values."

Another former employee, Jason Friedman, testified that the team knowingly withheld ticket revenue that was to be shared with other teams according to NFL bylaws. Friedman also said the Commanders retained security deposits from customers purchasing leases for stadium suites for more than a decade.

The report said it was unable to determine the exact amount of money withheld due to Snyder and the Commanders not fully cooperating with the investigation.

Harris' group, which includes NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, agreed to purchase the Commanders for the record sum in May pending owners' approval, which was granted in a special meeting held Thursday in Minnesota. In addition to the 76ers, Harris' holding company is also the majority owner of the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

Snyder purchased the then-Washington Redskins in 1999 for $800 million and had a tumultuous reign of more than two decades. He and his wife, Tanya, agreed to put the franchise up for sale in November amid pressure from the NFL and corporate sponsors.