<mediadc-video-embed data-state="{"cms.site.owner":{"_ref":"00000161-3486-d333-a9e9-76c6fbf30000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b93390000"},"cms.content.publishDate":1654097827343,"cms.content.publishUser":{"_ref":"00000179-379a-dbb2-a7fd-bfda8bfc0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"cms.content.updateDate":1654097827343,"cms.content.updateUser":{"_ref":"00000179-379a-dbb2-a7fd-bfda8bfc0000","_type":"00000161-3461-dd66-ab67-fd6b933a0007"},"rawHtml":"
var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_54089484", "obj": {"id":"27789","width":"16","height":"9","video":"1023159"} }); ","_id":"00000181-1fe9-d297-a5e3-1fedcc650000","_type":"2f5a8339-a89a-3738-9cd2-3ddf0c8da574"}”>Video EmbedWashington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell have been asked to testify in front of the House regarding allegations of a hostile workplace culture fostered by the team.
The House Oversight Committee requested the two appear before lawmakers for a hearing in late June, marking the latest development in a monthslong investigation into allegations that the Commanders’ workplace tolerates misconduct against its employees. Snyder was previously fined $10 million by the NFL last year on charges that he maintained an unwelcome workplace.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS MAY HAVE ENGAGED IN FINANCIAL MISCONDUCT: HOUSE PANEL
“Since we launched our investigation in October, the Committee’s goal has been to uncover the truth about the culture of harassment and abuse at the Washington Commanders, to hold accountable those responsible, and to better protect workers across the country,” said Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). “The Committee has worked tirelessly to obtain critical information … only to be met with obstruction from the Commanders and the NFL at every turn. We must have transparency and accountability, which is why we are calling on Mr. Goodell and Mr. Snyder to answer the questions they have dodged for the last seven months.”
The committee will seek to question Snyder and Goodell regarding reports of a toxic workplace, particularly the NFL’s hesitancy to address the allegations. The request for testimony follows a roundtable held on Feb. 3 when several former Commanders employees detailed sexual harassment, abuse, and other workplace misconduct by top team officials, including Snyder.
Lawmakers released a trove of documents in late February showing that the NFL and the Commanders entered into a joint agreement not to share documents or information during the investigation without the other’s consent, according to the committee.
As part of the agreement, lawmakers discovered that the NFL and its Commanders used this agreement to prevent the committee from obtaining key documents. This raised concerns among lawmakers, who questioned the league’s commitment to independence and transparency throughout the investigation.
“For seven months, the Committee has been stonewalled by NDAs and other tools to evade accountability,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy. “Mr. Snyder and Mr. Goodell need to appear before the Committee to address these issues and answer our questions about the pervasive workplace misconduct at the Washington Commanders, and how the NFL addressed these issues.”
The NFL has maintained it has cooperated with the committee throughout its investigation and is considering whether Goodell will appear before lawmakers.
“We received the Committee’s invitation this morning and will respond directly in a timely manner,” Brian McCarthy, the spokesman for the NFL, told the Washington Examiner. “The NFL has cooperated extensively throughout the Committee’s lengthy investigation of the Washington Commanders, including by producing more than 460,000 pages of documents and responding to numerous questions in writing and in conversations with the Committee’s staff.”
The Commanders echoed similar sentiments.
“The Commanders have assisted the NFL in cooperating with all prior requests from the House Oversight and Reform Committee,” the team told the Washington Examiner. “We look forward to responding directly to the Committee’s invitation in a timely manner.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The hearing will examine how the NFL handled allegations of sexual misconduct, the league’s role in establishing and enforcing standards for teams, and what legislative reforms are needed to address the problems. The committee is expected to hold the hearing on June 22.
