Dan Snyder assumed responsibility for guiding the Washington Commanders to renewed prominence in the national league after Jack Kent Cooke’s passing in 1999 forced the transfer of the Washington-based football team. However, his time was largely characterized by disdain, and scandal which ultimately forced him to sell the team.
The decision by Snyder to sell the team to a group led by NBA team owner Josh Harris, of the Sixers, is still a mystery to the NFL community. Although there are reportedly numerous reasons for the sale, one intriguing factor recently surfaced in the football world in relation to the Jon Gruden emails.
Dan Snyder exit domino effect of leaked Jon Gruden emails
Following 24 years of ups and downs with the Washington Commanders, Dan is set to transfer the ownership of the team to Harris Group. The journey has been huge, yet the reason behind the failure to sustain the ownership is also likely a great one to remember for the former owner ahead of his life.
According to multiple reports, the 58-year-old leaked Jon Grudens’ racist and homophobic emails in 2021 with the assistance of his law firm, Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, and Reed Smith.
ESPN discovered that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was also involved in the case which was approved by the league’s executives. As a result, Gruden was fired from Las Vegas Raiders team at that time. Later, in November of 2021, Jon filed a lawsuit against the league, alleging that the NFL and its commissioner were responsible for tarnishing his reputation and career.
Now the Commander’s owner himself is subjected to controversy including Sexual harassment allegations against team employees. The one who played a role in destroying the reputation of others now sees him in the same boat with much more drama and harassment.
Why did Dan Snyder allegedly sabotage Gruden?
The case is still in process while the reason behind the Commander owners’ act to leak the emails of Gruden is still unknown. By interviewing many executives, lawyers, agents, and league/team officials most of whom requested anonymity ESPN looks to be in the way of finding out plenty of big names behind the scene. In a statement to ESPN, Gruden tried to justify himself by blaming the league instead,
“It’s ridiculous the league thought they could cherry-pick emails from years ago when I wasn’t even a coach and try to end my career. At a minimum, I deserved the opportunity to respond and receive some due process.”
Still, the league seems determined in their previous word and denied their attachment to the incident through their spokesperson Brian McCarthy.
“Neither the NFL nor the commissioner leaked Coach Gruden’s offensive emails,” McCarthy told ESPN.
What is your take on this mess of a situation? Share with us below!
