Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn’t feel other NFL owners are obligated to support and back Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder.
“Not at all. Not at all,” Jones said on Dallas’ 105.3 the Fan, per Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post.
However, Jones believes there needs to be significant evidence against Snyder to remove him as an NFL owner.
“I’m just not aware of the kind of issues,” Jones continued. “I hear the media speculation, but that’s all I hear. That’s not supported by tangible facts. Those are being presented and being looked at and I’m sure there’s other things, but you could do those other things on any subject matter. But I’m not aware of anything myself that rises to the level that is being speculated, whether or not he’s with the Washington team or not.”
Snyder is currently the subject of several investigations, including by the NFL. Mary Jo White has been leading the league’s second investigation into Snyder and the Commanders for a toxic workplace culture since July 2020.
Sexual harassment, workplace misconduct, and financial improprieties are among the allegations Snyder faces. The U.S. House Oversight Committee is also investigating Snyder. The D.C. Attorney General plans to take action against Snyder following its investigation conducted this year.
But the NFL’s focus appears to be on its investigation. The Commanders received a $10 million fine, and Snyder stepped away from the organization’s day-to-day operations when Beth Wilkinson’s investigation concluded last year.
However, Congress opened a probe following issues with the league’s handling of Wilkinson’s findings. In the Oversight Committee’s investigation, former team employee Tiffani Johnston revealed additional allegations of sexual harassment by Snyder.
Later, a Washington Post report revealed another female employee accused Snyder of sexual assault and was paid at least $1.6 million in a confidential settlement in 2009.
Multiple reports have stated NFL owners may be looking to oust Snyder from the league. Yet, an ESPN report this month said Snyder is prepared to fight back, as he has claimed to have “enough dirt” on several team owners, league executives, and commissioner Roger Goodell to “blow up” the NFL.
Jones’s name has been at the center of Snyder’s situation. NFL pundits view Jones as an ally of Snyder. Coincidentally, Jones faces his own set of allegations of sexual misconduct.
Earlier this week at the NFL New York meetings, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was vocal about the allegations laid against Snyder. Irsay said “there’s merit” to removing Snyder from NFL ownership.
Irsay also stated he believes there could be the required 24 owners to vote to remove Snyder if the evidence supports such a move.
Snyder responded to Irsay and then provided a letter to the other NFL owners, refuting the “false and malicious” ESPN report. Snyder called for the owners to band together to challenge “falsehoods and lies” against the league.
The comments by Jerry Jones Friday state that other NFL owners won’t be obligated to support Snyder during this ordeal. However, the longtime Cowboys owner cautions if there is enough evidence to get at least 24 owners to oust Snyder.
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