Commanders Pay $1M Settlement Over Lies to Fans

The Washington Commanders have agreed to pay $1 million to the District of Columbia to settle a lawsuit from 2022 that alleged the team's previous owners lied to fans about an inquiry into sexual misconduct and a persistently hostile work environment.

The announcement of the settlement was made by DC attorney general Brian L Schwalb on Monday.

At the time of the lawsuit, Dan Snyder owned the team, before selling to Josh Harris's group in 2023 for $6.05 billion. The league fined Snyder $60 million after an independent investigation found he sexually harassed a team employee and oversaw executives who deliberately withheld millions of dollars in revenue from other clubs.

The lawsuit claimed that the previous Commanders ownership had misled fans about the findings of an internal investigation into the team's workplace culture, which uncovered widespread claims of sexual harassment and misconduct. The league's own probe, led by attorney Beth Wilkinson, substantiated many of these allegations.

Despite the settlement, the Commanders acknowledged no wrongdoing in the agreement. However, the $1 million payment represents a significant financial penalty for the team's previous missteps and lack of transparency with its fanbase.

The Commanders have been beset by controversy in recent years, with the team's culture and leadership facing intense scrutiny. The settlement is the latest development in the franchise's ongoing efforts to move past its troubled past and rebuild trust with its loyal supporters.

Under the new ownership group led by Josh Harris, the team will be looking to put these scandals firmly in the rearview mirror and focus on building a winning organization both on and off the field.